tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40501927354854403302024-03-19T05:57:28.660-07:00JulieRyanBooksFor reviews, book news and all things writerlyAll Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-35256268874916791432018-10-01T23:22:00.000-07:002018-10-01T23:22:16.424-07:00Latest book news<br />
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I haven't had a book release for quite a while so it is with great pleasure and some relief that 'Finding Rose' has finally made it to the shelves - well, to Amazon at any rate. I don't know about you but I think the cover is absolutely gorgeous.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvN24-6rnjCBZqyvnGkjzAngn0iFTjaenHIcDqa0IfTZco1p7ncrmu-MT5fd1P4jgyoq4l8MEgK7E3hhEi5jKd5EtiTB9jo3UA8l_Rym58OcsVJhj5WIW6n4lvaKQReaTG4LbWdM7uzeMy/s1600/v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1121" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvN24-6rnjCBZqyvnGkjzAngn0iFTjaenHIcDqa0IfTZco1p7ncrmu-MT5fd1P4jgyoq4l8MEgK7E3hhEi5jKd5EtiTB9jo3UA8l_Rym58OcsVJhj5WIW6n4lvaKQReaTG4LbWdM7uzeMy/s320/v1.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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It is completely different from my usual Greek island mysteries and took the best part of two years to write. Why so long? It was inspired in part by my father's last days. As he lay in hospital, he came out with quite a few random sentences and non-sequiturs no doubt as a result of the morphine he was given. However, I began to wonder if perhaps they meant something to him. What if my father was re-living a previous life? This was the catalyst for my story. Naturally, it was very difficult emotionally to write a book that invoked so many bitter-sweet memories although it was also cathartic. It also gave me a chance to incorporate a period I love, the time of the Tudors, as my character exhorts his daughters to 'Find Rose' - a journey that will take them to the Courts of HenryVIII and Elizabeth I.<br />
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The other inspiration for my book came from my grandfather. I knew he had lied about his age, being only 16, to join up during WW1 and that he was at the Front during the battle of the Somme. Wounded and left for dead, somehow he survived but it was something he never talked about. I only have vague memories of him as he died when I was six. However, with 2018 marking the centenary of the end of WW1, I knew I wanted to include the Great War as background to my novel and also as a tribute to him. With just a few of his notes that he made regarding the key events of the war, the rest was all down to research.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Rose-Julie-Ryan-ebook/dp/B07GZZPYQX/">Amazon UK</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Rose-Julie-Ryan-ebook/dp/B07GZZPYQX">Amazon US</a>All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-18116701524526357272018-08-09T02:12:00.001-07:002018-08-09T02:37:41.186-07:00My top five places to visit in Greece<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Top five places to visit in Greece<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
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With all the bad publicity surrounding Greece such as the economic crisis and the influx of immigrants, many people have been put off visiting there this year. I hope to address the balance and show you how you could have the perfect holiday and help the Greek economy at the same time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are over 6000 islands and islets, which make up the Greek archipelago, although only 227 of them are inhabited. Still, that gives plenty of choice when it comes to deciding where to go.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Crete – best all-rounder<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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One of the largest islands in the Mediterranean, its 4000 year history means that there is something for everyone. Crete or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kriti</i> is rich in culture and with an attractive coastline and climate, it is no surprise that it is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The Eastern part of the island served by Heraklion airport is very touristy where you’ll find the all-inclusive hotels and strings of bars but if you want a more authentic holiday then the Western part of the island, served by Chania airport, is still relatively untamed with a magnificent mountain range and mostly uncrowded beaches.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There is abundant scenery, fabulous lakes and wildlife and of course the well- renowned archeological site at Knossos, where you can visit the remains of the palace of King Minos <o:p></o:p></div>
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With good food and wine and friendly locals, Crete is up there at the top of the list.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Corfu- best for families<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the Ionian islands, Corfu is different from the other islands as there is still a strong British influence. In Corfu Town for example, this is in evidence as you watch a cricket match take place. The Greeks love children and nowhere is it more apparent than in the way children are welcome on the island, making it the ideal place for families.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Corfu was one of the first islands to be discovered by British tourism and the ‘lager-lout culture’ has left its mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s bars and discos you want then Corfu has that along the Disco Strip of Kavos and Sadari. Those wishing to escape this should head inland to the lush green interior, which has escaped the worse effects of mass tourism.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of course, Corfu was the childhood home of Gerald Durrell and with the recent TV adaptation of ‘The Durrells’ I would expect Corfu to become even more popular this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Rhodes – best for bargain holidays<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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Part of the Dodecanese chain of islands, its southerly position gives it an unparalleled 300 sunny days a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rhodes is an island of contrast, The New Town offering every package tour delight you can imagine, whilst the Old Town is steeped in the history of the Knights of St John. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is not the island to visit if you want a taste of the traditional Greece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the most beautiful village on Rhodes is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lindos </i>and whilst it’ s definitely worth a visit on account of its stunning picture postcard views, it is so touristy that you will find little of the ‘old’ Greece there. Instead, hire a car and explore the island at your own pace. If it’s vibrant nightlife you want then the resort of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Faliraki </i>is the place to head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you want a change of island, then <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Symi </b>is just a short boat ride away and makes an ideal day trip or overnighter if you have time to spare. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s peaceful, the locals are friendly and it’s a million miles away in character from Rhodes, so you can combine the best of both worlds.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Paros – best for getting away from it all<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Not to be confused with Poros, Paros is in the Cyclades chain of islands near the larger Naxos. It is your typical sugar cube island with its little white houses dotted all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are good ferry connections to Athens and it has nice, clean beaches. It makes a good base for island hopping and just a step away is the smaller island of Anti-Paros if you really want to get away from it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Aegina – best for a day trip from Athens<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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One of Aegina’s main attractions is that it lies close to Athens and can easily be reached from the port of Pireus. In fact, many locals commute to Athens but one downside is that the island can become crowded, especially at weekends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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There are a few archeological sights to take in if you so desire such as the Temple of Aphaia or simply sit and soak up the atmosphere with a good meal and a drink. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The island also has a reputation for fine ceramics and there are many gift shops you can visit. The beaches are by and large stony so not recommended for those seeking the pristine sandy beaches of the travel brochures but it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Athens for the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of course, there are many more I could recommend. If you are thinking of visiting Greece this summer then don’t let the scaremongering in the press put you off. In fact, only the main islands in close proximity to Turkey such as Kos and Lesbos have been heavily affected by the refugee crisis. These islands would also benefit tremendously from your visit as they rely heavily on tourism.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As for the economic crisis, anyone who has been to Greece recently says that they haven’t noticed any problems. So wherever you decide to go, have a wonderful holiday!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kales diakopes<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Whilst many Greeks speak good English, especially in the tourist area, you may find that this is less common if you venture of the beaten track. At any rate, Greeks will appreciate it if you can say a few words in their language.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please – parakalo<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pron <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>para – ka – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LO<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Thank you – evharisto<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pron </i>– ev - har- ist – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">HO<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I’m sorry – signome<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pron<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sig <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">– NO</b> – may<o:p></o:p></div>
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Good morning/ day<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Kalimera<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pron</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>kal – ee- <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MAIR</b> – a<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have you got..?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mi pos ekete?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pron</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mee – pos <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">– EK</b> – atay<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tomorrow<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>avrio<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pron</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">AV</b> – ree – oh<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hi – Yassas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pron <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">YA</b> – sas<o:p></o:p></div>
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OK – Entaxi<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pron – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">EN –</b> tax – ee<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cheers – Yammas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pron<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">YA -</b> mas<o:p></o:p></div>
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All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-59839056822530072902017-10-11T01:28:00.000-07:002018-08-09T02:07:59.321-07:00Shall I let you into a secret? Research or not to research?Readers often ask me how much research goes into my books? Now if you mean checking facts on the Internet or doing a google search then I would say quite a lot. For my latest book,<i> Finding Rose</i>, I found I needed to do rather a lot more 'real' research, especially since this is a contemporary novel with a strong historical aspect. As part of the book is set in Tudor England (my favourite period) then it called for some more serious research in the way of visiting actual buildings.<br />
For a flavour of Tudor life then The Tudor house in Worcester is excellent. As you walk through the entrance, you are immediately transported back five hundred years. The physical sense of people treading the same floorboards as you all that time ago is very evocative and you half expect to encounter someone in Tudor dress just round the corner.<br />
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Okay, so the staff have been known to dress up but it certainly adds to the ghostlike atmosphere.<br />
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The Tudor house has been used for almost anything you can imagine over the years, from a children's school dentist to council offices. To show the history of the building, different rooms show a Victorian parlour, a dentist's surgery and a warden's office. It is upstairs though that the real Tudor character lives on. There is also lots of factual, fun or fairly gruesome information about daily life at that time, some of which might just find its way into my book.<br />
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I'm really fascinated by how the Tudors brushed their teeth, the clothes they wore and the food they ate. The museum really answered a lot of my questions and when we'd finished, it was time for a twenty-first century coffee in the cafe.<br />
Some of the information may never see the light of day yet the whole experience is somehow enriching and even if never used, gives a deeper insight into the time in which my characters lived.All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-16169425947483275552017-10-09T03:32:00.001-07:002017-10-09T03:32:27.435-07:00My writing spaceReaders are by nature curious and often enjoy a glimpse into the daily life of their favourite writers. Having written at the edge of the dining room table for the last three years, my beautiful desk staying in its box as we had nowhere to put it, I can now share with you my lovely writing space.<br />
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When my desk was finally put together, I was almost in awe. The desk is placed by the window and the light reflects the sky onto the high gloss surface so as I write, clouds seem to scurry across it. I even find myself stroking it from time to time as if to apologise for the delay in unpacking it.<br />
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The only problem is that I too am curious by nature and as the room looks out to the pub garden opposite, I find myself being ever so slightly distracted. Not to worry, I can always call it research and pop a couple of pubgoers into the next novel!<br />
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So, with my notebooks neatly stowed in the drawers and writing guide at the ready, there really is nothing to stop me from being more organised. Our rescue cat Smudgie seems to approve too as within minutes of it being installed, he was asleep under it. I really can't promise that it will always look this tidy though! The only thing missing now is a lovely office chair that I have my eye on. With a birthday coming up soon, I've dropped a few hints. This time, I've promised myself that it won't lag in the box for the next three years!All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-13199743184587209882017-09-05T03:14:00.000-07:002017-10-09T02:39:03.227-07:00What it's really like to go on a writing retreat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Those of you who know me will realise that I write novels set in Greece. Having lived in Athens and Alexandroupolis in the 1980s, that's the period I'm most familiar with. I've been back on holiday to the islands since then but for the last few years life has just got in the way so a return trip hasn't been possible. Knowing how much I've needed and wanted to return, for research purposes of course, my hubby offered to take time off from his job to enable me to attend a writing retreat and get inspiration for my next book.<br />
For months I pored over different websites unable to decide between a tutored retreat or more of a writing holiday. In the end, the latter won, mainly because of dates and cost. The typically Greek photos set against the backdrop of stunning blue sea on the website won me over and I couldn't wait to visit 'Limnisa' in the Peloponnese.<br />
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Owned by Anglo-Dutch couple, Mariel and Philip, they open their home for just a few weeks each year, in May and September. I must admit to a little trepidation as I set out on my adventure. Would the Greece I knew and loved years ago still exist or would it have changed forever? I also had a few concerns about travelling solo, despite having lived and worked abroad before. My biggest worry though was what if I couldn't write anything while I was there?<br />
When Philip came to pick me up at the port of Methana, my worries started to disappear. It was hot, sunny and I was back in my beloved Greece. As he showed me around the villa and the grounds, I felt as if I were coming home.<br />
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The mornings at Limnisa are silent with a no talking rule until lunch at around 1pm. When I arrived the others were all deeply involved in their writing, dotted around the many terraces that Limnisa has to offer.<br />
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The ambiance immediately made me reach for my notebook to start plotting and any worries about having nothing to say flew out of the window at that point. By lunchtime I had a few plot points written down and the novel that had been at the back of my mind for some time started to take shape. It was as if someone had turned on a switch.<br />
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At lunch I got to meet the others and with a maximum of ten participants, there was a fair mix of nationalities and age range. With no fixed arrival or departure days, the only stipulation is that you stay a minimum of one week, there was a constant flux of people, all wonderful characters who unwittingly gave me inspiration.<br />
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The afternoons were free to do as you pleased; more writing, reading or a visit to the town to partake of the hot springs.<br />
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Mariel arranged an optional tour of the island and I'm so glad I went. With a visit to a deserted village, climbing a volcano, seeing donkeys and goats that reminded me of Greece thirty years ago, it was the highlight of my trip.<br />
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There was a literary evening on Wednesday where participants could share what they'd written if they wished. It was interesting to see what the others had been up to and I even managed to pluck up the courage to read out my opening chapter. For a small fee Mariel and Philip offer an hour's consultation if you want to discuss your work with either of them.<br />
The week passed all too quickly. I happily settled into a routine of breakfast on my balcony followed by writing until lunch. A walk and reading in the afternoon, maybe a nap and then tea and the most delicious cakes at 4pm. The last night came all too quickly but I have wonderful memories of the fabulous fish taverna where we had a wonderful and yet inexpensive meal.<br />
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For sure, Greece has changed a lot as you might expect yet the old Greece is still there if you look hard enough. One thing that hasn't changed is the friendliness and hospitality I encountered everywhere I went. I'm now saving up for a return visit next year as I found the experience really rejuvenating and it rekindled my writing mojo.<br />
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<br />All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-20378689964625734952016-12-29T03:33:00.002-08:002016-12-29T03:33:50.267-08:00Some of my favourite books of 2016At the beginning of the year I posted my most anticipated list - books that I was looking forward to reading; newly published and a few from my ever-expanding 'to read' list. Despite reading and reviewing 100 books in 2016, there are still quite a few from the start of the year that I still haven't read. They have become part of the family as I look at them apologetically as I walk past the shelf and choose another book to read.' Maybe next time' I say to them knowing that the chances are receding with each new book added. 'I will read you' I promise, 'I just don't know when'. Anyway, let me share a few of the great books that I did manage to read. With so many to choose from, here are just a few of my favourites.<br />
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The Silk Merchant's Daughter - Dinah Jefferies<br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">1952, French Indochina. Since her mother's death, eighteen-year-old half-French, half-Vietnamese Nicole has been living in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, Sylvie. When Sylvie is handed control of the family silk business, Nicole is given an abandoned silk shop in the Vietnamese quarter of Hanoi. But the area is teeming with militant rebels who want to end French rule, by any means possible. For the first time, Nicole is awakened to the corruption of colonial rule - and her own family's involvement shocks her to the core...</span><br />
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Tran, a notorious Vietnamese insurgent, seems to offer the perfect escape from her troubles, while Mark, a charming American trader, is the man she's always dreamed of. But who can she trust in this world where no one is what they seem? </div>
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<i>The Silk Merchant's Daughter</i> is a captivating tale of dark secrets, sisterly rivalry and love against the odds, enchantingly set in colonial era Vietnam.</div>
I love books that transport you to another place or another era and this book does both. Next on my list is:-<br />
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The Girl In The Ice - Robert Bryndza<br />
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It says that it's a gripping serial killer thriller and it certainly kept me up for a couple of nights!!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Her eyes are wide open. Her lips parted as if to speak. Her dead body frozen in the ice…She is not the only one. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">When a young boy discovers the body of a woman beneath a thick sheet of ice in a South London park, Detective Erika Foster is called in to lead the murder investigation. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">The victim, a beautiful young socialite, appeared to have the perfect life. Yet when Erika begins to dig deeper, she starts to connect the dots between the murder and the killings of three prostitutes, all found strangled, hands bound and dumped in water around London. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">What dark secrets is the girl in the ice hiding? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">As Erika inches closer to uncovering the truth, the killer is closing in on Erika. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">The last investigation Erika led went badly wrong… resulting in the death of her husband. With her career hanging by a thread, Erika must now battle her own personal demons as well as a killer more deadly than any she’s faced before. But will she get to him before he strikes again?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">There is only one problem after reading this book - it's the first in the series so that means I now have another two books to add to my TBR pile. You can see why I didn't finish last year's pile now?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">If you prefer something a bit lighter but which will stay with you long after you put the book down, then 'The Forgotten Summer' by Carol Drinkwater is one of my favourite reads of the summer - vineyards, France and long summer days - what more could you ask?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">The grape harvest at the Cambon family's magnificent vineyard is normally a cause for celebration. But when an accident destroys the crop, Clarisse Cambon knows exactly who to blame - her daughter-in-law Jane.</span><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">It's the latest incident in a decades-long feud whose origin both women have concealed from Luc, who struggles to keep his wife and mother on speaking terms.</span><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">But when tragedy strikes and Jane is forced to take charge of the ailing vineyard she uncovers proof that Luc has been keeping secrets of his own. Worse still, Clarisse is the only one who knows the truth . . .</span></span><br />
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Still in France, Paris this time, and no list would be complete without one of Rebecca Raisin's delightful, cozy mysteries - 'The little antique shop under the Eiffel Tower' is a lovely read and follows on from 'The little bookshop on the Seine'.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Escape to Paris this summer and prepare to be swept off your feet…</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Anouk LaRue used to be a romantic, but since she had her heart well and truly broken her love life has dissolved into nothing more than daydreams of the perfect man. Retreating to her extraordinary Little Antique Shop has always been a way to escape, because who could feel alone in a shop bursting with memories and beautiful objects…</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Until Tristan Black bursts into an auction and throws her ordered world into a spin.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Following your heart is a little like getting lost in Paris – sometimes confusing and always exciting! Except learning to trust her instincts is not something Anouk is ready to do when it comes to romance, but the city of love has other ideas…</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">This one is pure escapism!!!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">One of my favourite historical novelists is Charlotte Betts and 'The house in Quill Court' is a must-read.</span><br />
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<b>1813. </b>Venetia Lovell lives by the sea in Kent with her pretty, frivolous mother and idle younger brother. Venetia's father, Theo, is an interior decorator to the rich and frequently travels away from home, leaving his sensible and artistic daughter to look after the family. Venetia designs paper hangings and she and her father often daydream about having an imaginary shop where they would display the highest quality furniture, fabrics and art to his clients.</div>
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When a handsome but antagonistic stranger, Jack Chamberlaine, arrives at the Lovell's cottage just before Christmas bringing terrible news, Venetia's world is turned upside-down and the family have no option but to move to London, to the House in Quill Court and begin a new life. Here, Venetia's courage and creativity are tested to breaking point, and she discovers a love far greater than she could have ever imagined . . .<br />
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Over to Guernsey next for 'Echoes of time' by Anne Allen. With a brilliant setting, super characters and a paranormal element, this book is one of her best. Having read Books 1. 2 and 3 I couldn't turn down the chance to read this one although Book 4 is still calling me!!!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Betrayal, injustice and revenge echo down the years… </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">1940. Olive marries farmer Bill Falla. The Germans occupy Guernsey. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">All too soon Olive realises she’s made a mistake. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Her life changes when she meets Wolfgang, a German officer- </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">but there’s a price to pay. . . </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">2010. Natalie Ogier returns to Guernsey to escape an abusive relationship – only to be plagued by odd happenings in her beautiful cottage on the site of a derelict and secluded farm. Disturbing dreams, disembodied voices and uncanny visions from the past. She becomes increasingly ill at ease as someone else’s past catches up with her own… </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Her only immediate neighbour, Stuart, is the grandson of the original owners, Bill and Olive. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Thrown together in a bid to find out what really happened to Olive, can they each survive the repercussions of the past and move on? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">If you've read this far, then you'll know that I'm a real lover of foreign climes, in particular Greece. 'An octopus in my ouzo' is one of the best memoirs set in Greece that I've read - and I've read a few!!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><img alt="28678919" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1453539899l/28678919.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">When Jennifer moves into the Honey Factory on the tiny Greek island of Tilos, bringing a laptop, her hiking boots and one slightly broken heart, she has no idea what surprises life holds in store for her. From the joy of gardening her own little piece of paradise to the thrill of joining in with the Greek dancing at local festivals, Jennifer learns something new every day – and discovers love again along the way.</span><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">Dive into this exquisite, honest and deeply moving tale and taste the sweetness of living life to the full on a small island.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Still in Greece, one of my favourite books of all time has to be ' Cartes postalise from Greece' by Victoria Hislop. The hard cover version is a touchy- feely delight, the story is a delight and the anecdotes and tales from Greece are universal. I treasure this book.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Week after week, the postcards arrive, addressed to a name Ellie does not know, with no return address, each signed with an initial: </span><i style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">A</i><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">.</span><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">With their bright skies, blue seas and alluring images of Greece, these </span><i style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">cartes postales</i><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> brighten her life. After six months, to her disappointment, they cease. But the montage she has created on the wall of her flat has cast a spell. She must see this country for herself.</span><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">On the morning Ellie leaves for Athens, a notebook arrives. Its pages tell the story of a man's odyssey through Greece. Moving, surprising and sometimes dark, </span><i style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">A</i><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">'s tale unfolds with the discovery not only of a culture but also of a desire to live life to the full once more.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">So, just a few of the books I've loved reading in 2016. Whether you share my taste or maybe find a new book to add to your own TBR list, here's wishing everyone happy reading in 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-74573461509310549442016-09-11T01:47:00.001-07:002016-09-11T01:47:33.930-07:00Bewdley Book Festival <br />
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Situated on the banks of the river Severn in Worcestershire, Bewdley is one of my favourite places to camp as there's lots to see and do there. A few weeks ago then when I first discovered that there would be a book festival there, I jumped at the chance of attending. My interest was piqued even further when I found out that best-selling chick-lit author Carole Matthews would be giving an interview. When a cakey tea was included in the ticket price, it would have been a crime not to attend.</div>
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I did have a little trepidation though as this was the first event I'd attended and I wondered if I'd be the one in the corner who didn't know anyone. I needn't have worried as thanks to Facebook, an announcement went out from a Facebook friend to ask who was attending and I was soon invited to make up a table.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With fellow writers Lynn Forth and Morton S Gray</td></tr>
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Carole Matthews was exactly as I'd pictured her and her sense of humour shone through. If you've read any of her books then you'll know that they reflect this as they as brilliantly funny. There was one sticky moment before the event got underway though as a very efficient door person almost didn't let her through as she didn't have a ticket! Luckily she was allowed in and told some lovely anecdotes such as how she met Mary Berry. She did admit that her initial success was due to being in the right place at the right time. She was at the forefront of the chick-lit wave and when it swept America after the Bridget Jones' success, she did well over there too. She does work hard to stay at the top of her game though and works from 8am to 6pm with an hour's lunch break every day, taking just August off. There were a few gasps from the audience when they heard this! It was then time for an interval and cakey tea. Unfortunately I only remembered to take a picture after about five minutes when most of the cakes had been devoured.</div>
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After questions from the audience Carole very kindly offered to sign books and her partner, the lovely Kev, took photos. All in all it was a great afternoon from all concerned and huge thanks to those involved in the organisation and clearing up afterwards. I finally got my fan-girl moment and of course had to buy a couple of books to mark the occasion.</div>
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<a href="http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up.jpg" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; box-sizing: border-box; color: #474345; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;"><img alt="Julie book line up" class="aligncenter wp-image-20869" height="415" sizes="(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" src="http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up.jpg" srcset="http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up.jpg 1054x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-400x203.jpg 400x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-1024x520.jpg 1024x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-370x188.jpg 370x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-1040x528.jpg 1040x" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 15px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="818" /></a></div>
<article class="post-22807 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-vacation-time" id="post-22807" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #50545c; display: block; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; padding: 60px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><footer class="entry-footer" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; color: #9d9d9d; display: block; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;"></footer></article>All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-56794980464282600732016-05-06T03:51:00.003-07:002016-05-06T03:51:44.492-07:00How to get started in self-publishingSo you've written a book? What to do next can be very daunting at the start so I thought I'd share a few tips on how to begin that self-publishing journey. I was lucky that I had a mentor in the form of an established writer who helped guide me through the process. I thought it would be only fair to share with you what I've learnt so far.<br />
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Six months before P - Day<br />
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1. The promotion lies with you and you alone if you go down the self-published route and ideally needs to begin several months before you plan to publish.<br />
It's all about getting your name known. After all, people can't buy your book if they don't know about it. That does not mean banging on endlessly to total strangers to buy your book - it's a sure fire way to hack people off. Instead set up a Twitter account in the name you plan to use as an author and try to engage with people. Not easy but I learnt that adding a photo to your tweet increases visibility. What are you going to tweet about if your book isn't ready yet you may ask? To be honest, you can tweet about anything that interests you but if you can find a link to your book then so much the better. It could be the location e.g. I just love Paris and so does x - the heroine in xxxxxx due out soon. Then follow any site about France/Paris to build up your following. Remember your tweet can only be a maximum of 140 characters so use them wisely. You can also only follow 2000 people before Twitter starts imposing a limit. You then have to wait for either more people to follow you back or start to unfollow a few.<br />
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2. If Twitter is just for short exchanges then you may prefer Facebook. I wasn't using it correctly for years as I only had about 5 friends on there and I used to email them regularly anyway. Now that I have built up a load of 'friends' with similar interests I can see the benefits. You'll soon find yourself interacting with likeminded writers if you start posting about books you like. Remember to join some groups on there too; a great way to discuss books and build up relationships for when your very own book is out there. You'll need as much support as you can get and there is always a useful source of information - priceless when it come to organising a virtual book tour.<br />
Don't forget to set up an additional Facebook page just for your writing too - something along the lines of JohnSmithauthor. Not only does this mean you can direct real fans to a place where they can find out the latest about your book but it also saves friends and family being bombarded with book news.<br />
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Four months before P-Day<br />
3.Ideally you should have a finished manuscript by now. Finished in that you have read it over numerous times for typos and spelling errors. You then walk away and come back to it a couple of weeks later. Go through it with a fine tooth comb for plot holes, discrepancies, stylistic faux pas etc until you are sick to death of it. If you can afford it, get it professionally edited. Again ask around for recommendations and check out that they are a good fit for your book. It will really hurt to have to change your baby at this stage but trust me it will be worth it. If you really can't afford it then at the very least ask for a few people to act as Beta readers. Nothing spells amateur quite so much as a book full of errors - make it the best it can be.<br />
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Three months before P-Day<br />
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4. The virtual book tour<br />
When you're just starting out this can be a good way to get a foot on the ladder. Beware the scam artists though who will charge you a fortune for very little in return. Most tour organisers need at least three months notice to get your ecopy file to reviewers and the good ones are booked up well in advance. For around £40 you can expect about 5 reviews and to be hosted on the blog page of the reviewers. I used BrookCottageBooks and have never been disappointed but check out what other writers recommend too. You can schedule the tour for the first week your book is published and get those reviews online as soon as possible or you can wait a while it's up to you.<br />
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One month before<br />
5. Once your book is back from the editor and the beta readers and you've made the necessary changes, you'll need a cover. I was fortunate in that having bought the rights to use a photograph from a site like fotolia or shutter stock and then a friend managed to do the graphics for me. It's worth spending money on this as covers sell books. You'll also need to have your book professionally formatted for Amazon or whichever digital site you choose. It's different for each site but if you don't do this all your hard work may be in vain as when it downloads to Kindle or other tablet, it won't look right and will give the impression of poor attention to detail.<br />
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Once you've done all this, you should be ready to submit your book for self-publishing. Then comes the hard work! Good luck on your journey - it's certainly a learning curve but to have your very own book out there is the most marvellous feeling!<br />
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<br />All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-54480481774356017062016-01-02T08:59:00.000-08:002016-01-02T09:02:00.896-08:00Books I'm most looking forward to reading in 2016 <br />
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With the start of a new year, I like to look back at the books I've read over the last year and to look forward with eager anticipation to books still on my TBR pile or newly published. My Goodreads challenge this year was to read 100 books. That averages out at nearly two books per week. I didn't think I was going to make it but thanks to some Christmas novellas I just managed to reach my target. Of course, no matter how fast I try to read, I always have more books by the end of the year unread than I did at the start - one of the perks of being a blogger - oh and a one-click addict too.<br />
Here are a few of the books that I didn't get round to reading in 2015 but are top of my list for 2016.<br />
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<b><u>Match me if you can - Michele Gorman</u></b><br />
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I've read 'The curvy girls club by Michele and really enjoyed it. She has an easy style and is great at picking up on traits that we are all familiar with. Hopefully this will be another winner.<br />
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What if Mr Right was just a click away?</div>
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Ever thought about recycling your ex?</div>
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Best friends Catherine, Rachel & Sarah are fun, smart, successful and single – just like millions of women with a low tolerance for idiocy in their dates.</div>
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Mr. Right hasn't turned up yet, and Mr Right-Now isn't worth booking a wax appointment for. So when Catherine, London’s finest matchmaker, gets Rachel and Sarah to join her dating site where they can recycle their ex-boyfriends in exchange for an upgrade, they soon realise that anything could happen . . .</div>
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Three best friends, proving that sometimes it really isn't you… it's him.</div>
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<b><u>The Italian Girl - Lucinda Riley</u></b><br />
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Not read anything by this author before but love books set in the Med. The blurb sounds very promisin<b style="text-decoration: underline;">g.</b><br />
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Rosanna Menici is just eleven years old when she meets Roberto Rossini, the man who will change her life forever. In the years to come, their destinies are bound together by their extraordinary talents as opera singers and by their enduring but obsessive love for each other - a love that will ultimately affect the lives of all those closest to them. For, as Rosanna slowly discovers, their union is haunted by powerful secrets from the past . . . </div>
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Rosanna's journey takes her from humble beginnings in the back streets of Naples to the glittering stages of the world's most prestigious opera houses. Set against a dazzling backdrop of evocative locations, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Italian Girl </i>unfolds into a poignant and unforgettable tale of love, betrayal and self-discovery.</div>
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<b><u>The daughter's secret - Eva Holland</u></b><br />
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I love a good thriller and this one sounds just up my street<br />
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<i>My daughter is a liar. A liar, liar, liar. And I'm starting to see where she gets it from.</i></div>
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When Rosalind's fifteen-year-old daughter, Stephanie, ran away with her teacher, this ordinary family became something it had never asked to be. Their lives held up to scrutiny in the centre of a major police investigation, the Simms were headline news while Stephanie was missing with a man who was risking everything.</div>
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Now, six years on, Ros takes a call that will change their lives all over again. He's going to be released from prison. Years too early. In eleven days' time.</div>
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As Temperley's release creeps ever closer, Ros is forced to confront the events that led them here, back to a place she thought she'd left behind, to questions she didn't want to answer. Why did she do it? Where does the blame lie? What happens next?<br />
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<b><u>The Ice Twins - S.K Tremayne</u></b><br />
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I've heard so much about this book and meant to read it in 2015 so this is definitely one to be read this year.<br />
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A year after one of their identical twin daughters, Lydia, dies in an accident, Angus and Sarah Moorcraft move to the tiny Scottish island Angus inherited from his grandmother, hoping to put together the pieces of their shattered lives.</div>
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But when their surviving daughter, Kirstie, claims they have mistaken her identity – that she, in fact, is Lydia – their world comes crashing down once again.</div>
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As winter encroaches, Angus is forced to travel away from the island for work, Sarah is feeling isolated, and Kirstie (or is it Lydia?) is growing more disturbed. When a violent storm leaves Sarah and her daughter stranded, Sarah finds herself tortured by the past – what really happened on that fateful day one of her daughters died?</div>
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<b><u>The book of you - Claire Kendal</u></b><br />
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Another book that is high up on my list - hoping that it lives up to the hype<br />
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Clarissa is becoming more and more frightened of her colleague, Rafe. He won’t leave her alone, and he refuses to take no for an answer. He is always there.</div>
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Being selected for jury service is a relief. The courtroom is a safe haven, a place where Rafe can’t be. But as a violent tale of kidnap and abuse unfolds, Clarissa begins to see parallels between her own situation and that of the young woman on the witness stand.</div>
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Realizing that she bears the burden of proof, Clarissa unravels the twisted, macabre fairytale that Rafe has spun around them – and discovers that the ending he envisions is more terrifying than she could have imagined.</div>
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These are just a few. What books did you intend to read in 2015 but didn't get round to?</div>
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All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-4097394153754762102015-11-21T00:18:00.001-08:002015-12-12T03:08:19.057-08:00My first Greek ChristmasWelcome to a special post where I have the opportunity to introduce five other Greek biased bloggers via a Christmas blog hop.<br />
First though, at this special time of year, I'd like to tell you about the first Christmas I spent in Greece.<br />
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<b><u>My first Greek Christmas </u></b><br />
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I remember feeling quite excited about spending my first Christmas in Greece. Of course, it would be different and I'd miss my family but not having the money to fly back to the UK, I told myself this would be a Christmas to remember. Working in Athens back in 1986, I was particularly looking forward to a few days of peace and quiet on the nearby island of Aegina. Having visited the island during the summer, it had fast become a favourite and when a Greek friend offered us the chance to spend the holiday at his family's villa there, we jumped at the chance.<br />
Not knowing what facilities, if any, would be open on Christmas Day, I packed a bag with a few essentials, and our friend arrived to take us to the port. It was extremely kind of him to do that and to take time away from his own family. The port seemed extremely quiet compared to the last few times we'd sailed but I guessed it was because it was winter and of course Christmas Day. Most people would already be with their families. As we approached the ticket office, however, the real reason became apparent - all sailings were cancelled due to high winds. It was true that the wind was blowing quite strongly, whipping up the waves, yet we hadn't considered the possibility of not being able to travel. To say I felt disappointed was an understatement. It simply felt as if Chritmas had been cancelled and the thought of going back to our tiny 'garconiera' or attic room, which was so small that the bed pulled down from a bookcase, wasn't particularly appealing.<br />
We thanked our friend profusely for his offer and with two small boys waiting for him, guessed he'd be in a hurry to get home. When we asked him to drop us off at our flat, he was absolutely adamant that we would be spending Christmas with his family. He took no notice of our protestations that we would be intruding, nor did he seem concerned about arriving home with a couple of foreigners and in the days before mobile phones, there was no way he could warn his wife in advance. Well, what could we do? We'd been in Greece long enough to appreciate Greek hospitality so we went along, hoping that we wouldn't be in the way.<br />
We needn't have worried. We were made welcome by all the family as our friend explained what had happened. I had no idea what to expect yet we soon exchanging details of how we celebrated in England as our friends described a few Greek customs. We all sat down to eat and I remember a wonderful dish of pasta and beef. It was marvellous to be part of a Greek family during this special time. If it hadn't been for the weather, I wouldn't have these wonderful memories that I've treasured all these years. There really is nothing quite like Greek hospitality and it taught me in turn to extend the hand of friendship to others who might be in need of it.<br />
This year as I sit down to a very British Christmas dinner with my family, I'll be sparing a thought for others less fortunate and setting an extra place for that unknown last minute visitor.<br />
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If you'd like to visit more blogs celebrating Greek Christmas themes then take a hop through the list below. If you could leave a comment on one or more of the blogs, we'll all be delighted.<br />
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My First Greek Island Christmas by Jennifer Barclay</em></div>
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<a href="http://www.octopus-in-my-ouzo.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.octopus-in-my-ouzo.blogspot.com</a></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sugared Almond Biscuits (Κουραμπιέδες) by Amanda Bidirni</em></div>
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<a href="http://fortyninesteps.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://fortyninesteps.com</a></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kritsa Christmas by Yvonne Payne</em></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </em><a href="http://kritsayvonne.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kritsayvonne.com/</a></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Christmas Stock In by Richard Stevens</em></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </em><a href="http://www.richvens.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.richvens.co.uk</a><br />
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<em style="font-family: Lato; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; position: relative;"><a href="https://whenthewineisbitter.wordpress.com/" style="color: rgb(36, 103, 141) !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Beers with Santa on Tilos by Ian Smith</a></em></div>
<br />All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-48093244901687729922015-09-03T03:50:00.001-07:002016-04-21T02:25:36.278-07:00Cover Reveal Jenna's Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0t7pqLWbFhmIpiXCDjZ_IYLVPv48ttOeFVI0aYiSWoEH8GqZJtvuEIc1voiN9PJNK38DFiG5LWKESS4VIYkllLL2U3dkMK13voaP-bWNNjWrggZ9t7BrR_gECavxZQJTP3fT6pkYxRA/s1600/coverofficial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0t7pqLWbFhmIpiXCDjZ_IYLVPv48ttOeFVI0aYiSWoEH8GqZJtvuEIc1voiN9PJNK38DFiG5LWKESS4VIYkllLL2U3dkMK13voaP-bWNNjWrggZ9t7BrR_gECavxZQJTP3fT6pkYxRA/s320/coverofficial.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Release Date: October 13, 2015</div>
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“Dazzling Greek Isles can hide sinister secrets.”</div>
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Leaving town, heading to the Greek Isles without telling husband or friends, is heady medicine for a failing marriage. Seduced by Grecian sun and sky, Jenna innocently buys a bewitching urn that tangles her into the web of a criminal world more sinister than she ever imagined. Romance is always afoot in the Greek Isles and Jenna gets a large helping with the seductive Nikos. Family is important in Greece, and Nikos helps Jenna learn all the richness it brings, and pass it on to the next generation.</div>
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Twenty-five years later, Allie takes this same journey, and a little time travel, a big “what if” dream, a fated meeting with a taxi driver and a sprinkle of paranormal intrigue intertwine in a story that spans the lives of a mother and daughter. Twisty as the streets in a Greek island village, full of unexpected characters found on a faraway vacation along with frightening threats from nasty villains, Jenna’s Journey will keep you turning pages far into the night.</div>
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Working out a lifetime of secrets, imagining what might have been, eluding nasty antiquities thieves, exploring a new love—how would you have managed? Follow Jenna’s adventure and see how she changed her life in one journey!</div>
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<b><u>It's finally happening</u></b></h3>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18pt;">When I heard back in March 2015 that Booktrope Publishing of Seattle wanted to republish my debut novel, Jenna’s Journey, I was ecstatic as you can imagine. Now that I’ve seen what the team can do, I’m beyond ecstatic and my heartfelt thanks go especially to Jennifer Givner, the cover designer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18pt;">Jenna’s Journey will be available on all major online retailers and for the very first time will also be available as a paperback. It’s also getting a thorough editing and revamp too but I just wanted you to be among the first to see this awesome cover. It sums up exactly what the book is about, don’t you think?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18pt;">Purchase links</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jennas-Journey-Greek-Island-Mystery-ebook/dp/B015545GT0/http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B015545GT0?keywords=jennas%20journey&qid=1442421712&ref_=sr_1_1&s=digital-text&sr=1-1" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Jennas-Journey-Greek-Island-Mystery-ebook/dp/B015545GT0/ </a></div>
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<b style="font-size: 18pt;"><u>What people are saying about the book</u></b></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"An absolute treat" Colm Herron</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Wonderful setting ..expect the unexpected." Linn B Halton</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"A must read" Elise Williams</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Highly enjoyable" Effrosyni Moschoudi</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"A promise of a journey to remember" Petra Rovere</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jenna's Journey is a fantastic mystery novel with a beautiful underlying romantic element and plots that will keep you guessing to the end." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heidi Cosmochicklitan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jenna’s Journey</em></span> is the first novel in the Greek Islands Series series. The story was inspired by the time I lived in Greece during the 1980s. Some thirty years later I was looking out of the window of my home in Gloucestershire on a wintry morning, idly wondering how my life would have been different if I’d stayed in Greece. I hadn’t intended to write a novel. Jenna’s Journey started life as a short story and thanks to a timely encounter with a fellow writer who persuaded me to turn it into a novel, it took on a life of its own and became the start of the Greek Island mystery series.</div>
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I’ve always been interested in fate or destiny, whatever you wish to call it, and this book is about all the ‘what ifs’ in life. It’s also about grabbing a chance of happiness with both hands when it’s offered – life really is too short!</div>
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Website/blog for the Greek Isles series: <a href="https://thegreekurn.wordpress.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in; border: 0px; color: #0d3d9b; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in; vertical-align: baseline;">https://thegreekurn.wordpress.com/</a></div>
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Book review website: <a href="http://www.allthingsbookie.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in; border: 0px; color: #0d3d9b; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.allthingsbookie.com/</a></div>
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Blog: <a href="http://juliesworldofbooks.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in; border: 0px; color: #0d3d9b; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in; vertical-align: baseline;">http://juliesworldofbooks.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/julie.ryan.3114" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in; border: 0px; color: #0d3d9b; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/julie.ryan.3114</a></div>
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/mikejcroucher" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in; border: 0px; color: #0d3d9b; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in; vertical-align: baseline;">@julieryan18</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up.jpg" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; box-sizing: border-box; color: #474345; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;"><img alt="Julie book line up" class="aligncenter wp-image-20869" height="471" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" src="http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up.jpg" srcset="http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up.jpg 1054x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-400x203.jpg 400x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-1024x520.jpg 1024x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-370x188.jpg 370x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-1040x528.jpg 1040x" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 15px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="930" /></a></div>
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All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-2043418681267669552015-07-08T09:01:00.002-07:002015-07-08T09:04:35.131-07:00Creating a Mediterranean haven<br />
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Quite often I find my writing is inspired by places I've visited, especially the South of France, Spain, Italy and Greece. I love being transported to sunnier climes where you can almost smell the lavender as a gentle breeze wafts by. So, I had the best of intentions to model my garden on a Mediterranean theme when we first bought the property ahem ten years ago but needless to say, money, time and a few wet summers soon put paid to that idea and as I looked out of my kitchen window, instead of a calming oasis, all I could see was a dumping ground for years' worth of unwanted materials from our constant DIY. Not a very inspiring sight, nor one that you would choose to relax in. So, this summer, I resolved that I would devote a little time each day to remodelling my patio.<br />
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<b>Step One</b><br />
The first step, as with any makeover, was to clear the rubbish so that I could see the space I had to work with. It took two trips to the tip and twelve bin bags but I had a vision of how my patio could look with a bit of TLC. Hard to believe that this could be a beautiful space, eh? <br />
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<b>Step Two</b><br />
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The walls had been painted white but were starting to look a bit dingy so a complete repaint job was necesssary. Hard work but I'm sure it will be worth it when the sun comes out and reflects off the walls, making my garden at last reminiscent of Greece or Spain.<br />
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Once I could see the space, it was a question of deciding how it should be used. Was it to be a cosy place to sit in, somewhere to eat for just the family or an entertaining space? Realising that it wasn't big enough to seat more than four people focused my attention on choosing a light-weight table that would seat four but could be moved if necessary so that the area could also be used for sunbathing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhNR1w4pn13dyxI6_FB9-PijIuuNPUOVTUT0CXXQ7B26Rn-Yp3abin-u5bq3qK2837ELtbm9jg1IZM4mZgGHgcgDrwlt4OX2M3V1a0OtoE6TskK87hampnlRiZ_42PH04c11QCYmieQwS/s1600/DSCF1831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhNR1w4pn13dyxI6_FB9-PijIuuNPUOVTUT0CXXQ7B26Rn-Yp3abin-u5bq3qK2837ELtbm9jg1IZM4mZgGHgcgDrwlt4OX2M3V1a0OtoE6TskK87hampnlRiZ_42PH04c11QCYmieQwS/s320/DSCF1831.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This set is lightweight and comes with four chairs and a black parasol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Step Four</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I wanted somewhere that would delight the senses, so next came the important step of choosing the plants.<b> </b>No Mediterranean garden would be complete without lavender so that featured heavily on my list. I also wanted to add a contemporary twist to an otherwise traditional patio so opted for some palms. These reminded me of Nice and add a tropical feel to the mix. A few geraniums were also a must-have to take me back to my time spent in Greece. I chose a variety of pots to display them in; large and small, round and square but to give some harmony and cohesion, I stuck with a palette of grey, silver and of course Mediterranean blue. It was all starting to come together but there was still a lot of work to be done.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80gFezROQ1c3R2RTJQa5kTPga3bHFuV-lO_hYPbm-aNSHqOTzei-2wojf1JT41TJzjhX-_7MlnDRoKsgT8aHO7_23ywKXbwlleb4d_rOI7JxcAGdIb0TZ7UsKQunaugTzJ5k-6PdzQDnQ/s1600/DSCF1818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80gFezROQ1c3R2RTJQa5kTPga3bHFuV-lO_hYPbm-aNSHqOTzei-2wojf1JT41TJzjhX-_7MlnDRoKsgT8aHO7_23ywKXbwlleb4d_rOI7JxcAGdIb0TZ7UsKQunaugTzJ5k-6PdzQDnQ/s320/DSCF1818.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Greek style urn fulled with hardy fuchsias</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Step Five</b><br />
<b><br /></b>After days spent weeding the pathway, painting the house and clearing the rubbish there was one thing missing from this little scenario and that was a water feature. I just wanted something simple that would trickle pleasantly as I read a book. A solar-powered cascading fountain seemed just the job and naturally I chose the Mediterranean blue version.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0yIknZQAOouRx-NcjfAbSifswdn_BaMOKT8XTUiUKSdoKYlgQRsMrK47J1lnTG4Lbp51wjNjW9yQYNaDOLvwIEJjNKqqivxG7629jycCOAWEHLovcOev3u8pKTFpQwLYHyHI_V3an-MO/s1600/DSCF1822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0yIknZQAOouRx-NcjfAbSifswdn_BaMOKT8XTUiUKSdoKYlgQRsMrK47J1lnTG4Lbp51wjNjW9yQYNaDOLvwIEJjNKqqivxG7629jycCOAWEHLovcOev3u8pKTFpQwLYHyHI_V3an-MO/s320/DSCF1822.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although quite small, this fountain adds a lovely touch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1728410161"></span><span id="goog_1728410162"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Step Six</b><br />
<br />
The opposite wall to the patio was also looking bare and neglected so I found the perfect arched mirror with shutters that looks like a window. It certainly adds a focal point to the wall and is far more pleasant to look at than old trellis. A new cushion for my garden bench, in carefully chosen beige and blues to echo the beach and pebbles, added the finishing touch to the decor on that side. So, for less than the cost of a holiday abroad for one, the whole family can now enjoy this peaceful haven and I have a lovely spot in which to write my next book. Keep your fingers crossed that we have a long, hot summer! It's not quite the same as going abroad but it's the next best thing.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABmdgoElVkcP7r6izu6FuJj29vs0rlgXR28LUS9gE5B-JuACNOMTbQvxuAz62Nr1J5Cyd93KECjg83HMK_-yVDu_JV7V9rKq0LajP96TTQkx4NVpWcx0wBMPSd2th5oww8QD-tdx6QnX0/s1600/DSCF1819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABmdgoElVkcP7r6izu6FuJj29vs0rlgXR28LUS9gE5B-JuACNOMTbQvxuAz62Nr1J5Cyd93KECjg83HMK_-yVDu_JV7V9rKq0LajP96TTQkx4NVpWcx0wBMPSd2th5oww8QD-tdx6QnX0/s320/DSCF1819.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window mirror painted the same colour as the door</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0-gAQld3lvgA2OHbfhV4U1o9hc_kS3haZMEpTmb0bSo3lNmYhS2EN46zDI6YxyUQ-HSCGouR7T2_1T57PRAGOaBsbqAB3OjzIwIcqlTwPJ27TM2GOHNrw61m-LHl0r79CRfIh3wdlJhk/s1600/DSCF1823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0-gAQld3lvgA2OHbfhV4U1o9hc_kS3haZMEpTmb0bSo3lNmYhS2EN46zDI6YxyUQ-HSCGouR7T2_1T57PRAGOaBsbqAB3OjzIwIcqlTwPJ27TM2GOHNrw61m-LHl0r79CRfIh3wdlJhk/s320/DSCF1823.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the 'pop' of red from the geraniums</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So, this is my little bit of the Med in a very English country garden. What inspires you? - do let me know.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><u>Top Tips</u></b></h3>
<div>
A glass topped table makes the space look bigger!<br />
<br />
Foldaway chairs enable the space to be used in different ways.<br />
<br />
Plants grouped in odd numbers look better than those grouped in even numbers.<br />
<br />
Plants of various heights yet similar colours work well with a strong accent colour used sparingly.<br />
<br />
<br />
Stockists<br />
6 piece garden set - table, 4 chairs, umbrella - Aldi<br />
Palm and torbay palms - www.gardeningexpress.co.uk<br />
Garden mirror/window - www.greenfingers.com<br />
Bench cushion and cascading fountain www.primrose.co.uk<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-90679848735438646902015-05-27T01:09:00.003-07:002015-06-01T02:13:25.070-07:00Booklovers - which Greek island should you visit<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Booklovers – which Greek island should you
visit?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbM2ICHvfl35ilP1HuPunTg1j_tKq-5mIDdXWRxr-pYyXHGSBwaO91D9ZYlrc49OLh0jgVbZ4MAEz4y2JEz4WdCM51n3_L-2oTJ19HVJnVDvH86pO4v0aDU7Sh_xsOmYFxaKU08huw8Gr/s1600/map_of_greece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbM2ICHvfl35ilP1HuPunTg1j_tKq-5mIDdXWRxr-pYyXHGSBwaO91D9ZYlrc49OLh0jgVbZ4MAEz4y2JEz4WdCM51n3_L-2oTJ19HVJnVDvH86pO4v0aDU7Sh_xsOmYFxaKU08huw8Gr/s320/map_of_greece.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Map from Lonely Planet</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">I was looking at my bookshelves when I
thought it would be fun to tour Greece taking in the settings of the
books. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you fancy touring the Greek
Isles this summer, why not take a journey there with me through fiction?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I thought we’d start our journey by
stopping off at Crete, one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean and one
of my favourites. With its 4000 year history there’s plenty to see and do. More
recently, it has gained fame through Victoria Hislop’s book, The Island, which
tells the story of Spinalonga, a leper colony just off the coast of Crete.
Having visited the South of the island, this is definitely on my list for my
next visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The next book that jumped out at me was ‘Captain
Corelli’s Mandalin’ by Louis de Bernieres. Set on Kephalonia during the early
days of the Second World War, it’s both a war story and a love story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever since reading the book I’ve had a desire
to visit and retrace the footsteps of the main characters so it’s time to head
off to the Ionian islands. Much of Kephalonia was destroyed by an earthquake in
1953 and so some of its Venetian influence has been lost. Nevertheless with its
gorgeous beaches and stunning scenery, you won’t be at a loss for something to
do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Heading next to Corfu, an island that is
somehow different to all the other Greek islands, having a strong British
influence. In Corfu town, for example, they still play cricket. It was, of
course, the childhood home of Gerald Durrell and one of my favourite books as a
child was , ‘My family and other animals.’ I still remember the tales of his
family’s exploits and the different coloured villas that they lived in. It was
perhaps reading these stories that captured my imagination and started my love
affair with Greece.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">No tour would be complete without heading
to the mainland, to the Albanian border and the town of Lia. This is where
Nicholas Gage writes so poignantly about his mother’s life and how she was
killed by communist guerillas just after the Second World War during the Greek
civil war. His book ‘Eleni’ is both a testament to his mother and a lesson in
the horrors of what man can do to his own kind. It also inspired me to read her
granddaughter’s book about how she returned to Greece and rebuilt the family
home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Finally, no trip to Greece would be
complete without visiting Athens. Anne Zouroudi has become a firm favourite of
mine, skillfully recreating the magic that draws people back to this mystical
place. Although her books are mainly set on Symi, a small island near Rhodes,
her first book is entitled ‘The Messenger of Athens’ and is where we encounter
the ‘fat man’ for the first time. Having lived in Athens in the 1980s it is
well overdue for a return visit as I’m sure it will have changed, although
hopefully not beyond all recognition!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">There are so many place I could have
mentioned but I’ll have to save those for another time. One thing about Greece
is sure though – once you’ve visited you’ll want to return – again and again!
What are your favourite islands and were any of your trips inspired by books
you’ve read?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-32118005834547680662015-05-13T01:24:00.000-07:002019-01-07T01:29:11.953-08:00What's on your bookshelf? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
As anyone who knows me will avow, I'm a total bookaholic. I think it must have started in childhood when each Friday as my mother did the supermarket shop, I could be found in the book aisle sneakily reading the first chapter of an Enid Blyton book before deciding which one to buy. Needless to say, I still have this prized collection today. Since then though my insatiable desire for books seems to know no bounds. I have a wall of books as you come into the house and three large bookcases upstairs plus two downstairs and most of my books still haven't been unpacked from the boxes down the cellar yet. It wouldn't be so bad if my husband shared my passion but unfortunately being dyslexic, he doesn't get the same pleasure from a good book that I do.<br />
I keep meaning to stop, honestly I do, and when he bought me a Kindle in the forlorn hope that it might reduce the amount of 'clutter' in the house, I did pause briefly in my book buying addiction. It didn't last long though! Don't get me wrong, I love my Kindle too and in fact, I think I've now developed another addiction - the one-click kind. When I checked the other day I realised that even at my current rate of reading about 100 books per year, there is no way that I am ever going to live long enough to read all the books on my shelves, let alone the ones now sitting on my Kindle.<br />
Deciding to try and declutter and get rid of some books that I will probably never read lasted about ten minutes as I came across long-forgotten favourites that just have to be re-read. The touch and scent of a 'real' book convey so many emotions to me. For many books, I can remember where I was when I read it or who gave it to me. Just looking at the cover of a book I've enjoyed gives me huge pleasure. From the chaos that was a disorganised book pile, I have tried to bring some semblance of order and have put all my Greek themed books together. It was great fun doing this as again it brought back many memories. 'The Magus' by John Fowles inspired my love of Greece and maybe even subconsciously planted the idea of teaching there, the Greek cookery book reminds me of the many wonderful meals eaten in tavernas by the sea, the waves lapping on the shore as the waiter brings a complimentary drink. Then there are the Greek language books from my time spent trying to master the basics of that beautiful language and crime novels by two of my favourite writers, Jeffrey Siger and Anne Zouroudi. There are many many more still waiting for me to lovingly discover I'm sure but I know that to me each and every book is special so, for now, my collection remains intact.<br />
Please tell me I'm not alone in my addiction and I'd love to know what's on your bookshelves - virtual or otherwise.All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4050192735485440330.post-71898451562662576102015-04-22T04:03:00.001-07:002018-08-08T01:31:49.585-07:00Why I write about Greece<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlBwyj8bn4fNok6cSjeNreskLTmGoEKL2Z8xbK1E-WSAfa-ueFeXWJlMyYWy2dK5EpO4QHHtRplSIxgJ_7VuVVNZx-wrE5_ppmS2Q327hmE7VfKbpbHsW8cslVcCuvCjwBRvLi9dZ0kx3/s1600/PD_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlBwyj8bn4fNok6cSjeNreskLTmGoEKL2Z8xbK1E-WSAfa-ueFeXWJlMyYWy2dK5EpO4QHHtRplSIxgJ_7VuVVNZx-wrE5_ppmS2Q327hmE7VfKbpbHsW8cslVcCuvCjwBRvLi9dZ0kx3/s1600/PD_0075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I’ve been asked a few times about the setting for my Greek Island Trilogy. Is it a real island? Which one? What was it like living there? Well, first of all I was compelled to write about Greece after living there during my twenties. I’ve always wanted to write but funnily enough until I started writing the Greek mysteries, I never got beyond penning a few short stories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">My fascination with Greece began as a child when I was given a book about ancient Greece. I absorbed the myths and legends and couldn’t believe that such an idyllic, magical place really existed. Blue became my favourite colour and I dreamed of visiting these mysterious islands where Odysseus, Athina, Zeus and Hector once lived. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It remained just a dream until I finished University when I got a job as a language teacher in Alexandroupolis in the North-East of Greece. I hadn’t heard of it either but it sounded nice, a small town by the sea. My first experience of Greece, however, wasn’t the lovely blue and white houses of the Cyclades. I arrived in Thessaloniki in the middle of the night after a three- day rail journey. It was nearly 3am by the time I got to a hotel and just a few hours later when I was woken up by car horns blaring. Thinking there must have been some national catastrophe, I gingerly looked out of the window to see the beginning of the normal rush-hour traffic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It was the coach journey to Alexandroupolis passing through Kavala where I got my first glimpse of the ‘real’ Greece. The sky was the bluest I’ve ever seen, the spring flowers were starting to bloom and there were goats grazing on rocky outcrops and scrubland. The scents wafted in on the breeze and it was as if time just slowed down. We passed women in black, donkeys and men passing the time of day in the kafeneion. I have no idea why but it started to feel like home even though it was all so different from anything I’d experienced before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I found the Greek people to be extremely hospitable even if they had very little themselves. The ritual of jam on a spoon reflected this hospitality and strangers would often send over a drink when we were in a taverna or the waiter would offer a digestif on the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It was the opportunity to visit the islands that made me think I’d found my little piece of Heaven. There can be few countries with such a diverse range of islands and dramatic scenery yet which remain so sparsely populated. Of course, the main islands are very touristy yet there are far more where it’s easy to find a little cove or ‘undiscovered’ beach. After spending a year in Athens, just as amazing but a totally different experience, I vowed to keep returning. Among my favourites are Aegina, Rhodes, Corfu, Kalymnos and Crete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">How could I choose just one island on which to set my books? The answer is that I couldn’t. My island is in my head and a combination of all the different places I’ve visited. So much so that until now I haven’t even given it a name. Some readers have said they would have preferred a real place, others say it’s nice to be transported to an imaginary place. What do you think? If you can come up with a great name for a Greek Island, I might just use it and credit you in the next book. I only ever planned to write one book and now book three is about to be published. I’m toying with the idea of a fourth book just so long as my readers continue to want to read more of my mysteries.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #474345; font-family: 'open sans', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.3s;"><img alt="Julie book line up" class="aligncenter wp-image-20869" src="http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up.jpg" height="101" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" srcset="http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up.jpg 1054x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-400x203.jpg 400x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-1024x520.jpg 1024x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-370x188.jpg 370x, http://www.loveahappyending.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Julie-book-line-up-1040x528.jpg 1040x" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 15px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="200" /></a></span>
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<!--EndFragment-->All Things Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00827885713923777987noreply@blogger.com0