Review of Sisters of Spicefield

Sisters of Spicefield

by Fran Cusworth

If you love Jodi Picoult's books of moral dilemma's you will love Fran Cusworth's book Sisters of Spicefield.

The heart of the story is couple Jessica and Matt who have 4 children, 3 with IVF and one naturally who sadly died of a genetic disease when young. Things were running as well as they could for this family until a new single mum comes to the school. Jessica immediately realised that the young girl, Mia is her biological child, the embryo that her and Matt gave up when they decided their family was complete. The decision that Matt never wanted to know the outcome of. How can you face seeing a child who looks just like your own kids and not feel something for her? How do you answer your kids questions when they notice this little girl has a matching birthmark?

Jessica is supported by her friends and fellow school mums Georgia and Max, along with her twin sister, Abby-who runs an orphanage in Thailand, all of who have issues of there own which help round out this story. With many twists and turns this often heart-wrenching story will leave you surprised and thinking ... what would you do?

This is the first of Fran's novels which I have come across but I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.

Review of Chocolate Cake for Breakfast

Chocolate Cake for Breakfast
by Danielle Hawkins    



This is the first book of Danielle's that I have read although I do have Dinner at Rosie's sitting in my TBR pile.

Danielle's background in farming and as a vet shows through in the well researched and at times very detailed story of Helen McNeil who is a vet in the small rural town of Broadview in rural New Zealand. Having visited New Zealand myself including the 'nearby' town of Hamilton I could totally envisage the setting of this book as I was reading.

The country road near Hamilton NZ - where I could totally see Helen driving

 

 

Helen reminds me of a modern day James Herriot and her often hilarious adventures in this dairy country will have you laughing (although if your squeamish this may not be the book for you!) After stumbling over national sporting hero, Mark Tipene - an All Black rugby player, without realising who he is this odd couple follow the trails of falling in love in the spotlight and their "date" at a breach birth of a cow is enough to send anyone running for the hills.

But when a happy 'accident' throws a spanner in the works of this budding romance will this odd couple make it? Can you really have your cake and eat it (for breakfast) too?

This was a fun read and I'm looking forward to reading Dinner at Rosie's.   

Holiday Reading

Working in a school library means I get almost 5 weeks holiday this time of year! I had a plan of making a huge dint in my TBR pile but between visiting family, friends weddings, engagements & funerals and this ridiculous weather (almost a week over 40C is not my idea of fun!) I didn't get to read as many books as I would like. I'm back to work this Friday but so far I have been able to read the following books:
Sisters of Spicefield by Fran Cusworth
Chocolate Cake for Breakfast by Danielle Hawkins and
Runaway Groom (Wedding Fever #3)  by Fiona LoweUnleashing Mr Darcy by Terri Wilson

I've finally had time to post my reviews - I hope you like the books as much as I did.

Happy Reading
GeckoGirl

Review of Runaway Groom by Fiona Lowe

Runaway Groom (Wedding Fever #3)

by Fiona Lowe

I've read the first two books in the Wedding Fever Series which I loved and Book 3 in Fiona Lowe's Wedding Fever Series does not disappoint. During the local heatwave I started reading it at 1am (big mistake) with the misguided thought to 'just read til I fall asleep'... well I finished it at 6am - good thing I'm still on holidays!

Just when you thought there was no one left in the town to marry off in comes Amy Sagar, who's fond memories of summers in Whitetail, Wisconsin decides to get in her car and drive when her high-flying life as a Lawyer in Chicago gets pulled from underneath her by her double-crossing ex. While Amy was expecting a old log cabin she ends up in something much nicer - only to be interrupted by Aussie 'intruder' Ben Armytage who is on a road trip of his own having fled Australia after being left at the alter.
What begins as a case of crossed wires and dislocated shoulders slowly simmers into something more but the path of love never seems to run smooth... especially when your well-meaning parents decide to drop in.

Ben & Amy's story is intertwined with those of the locals of Whitetail Weddings that Wow including single dress shop owner Melissa who decided that she isn't going to end up with the heartache of her sister and is only going to let a man into her life who meets her strict criteria. But will totally unsuitable Scott slip past that list???

And what of the lovely old neighbourly widowers Ella & Al? Can they find happiness again?

This book has plenty of laughs, love and lots of heart, not to mention a wedding or two complete with last minute dress nightmares and accidental pregnancies changing wedding deadlines. I hope this is not the end for the Wedding Fever Series because I'd love to know what happens next.

I also love that a special local charity Kids Plus Foundation got a mention in this book.
Here is a link to my review of picture perfect wedding

Review of Unleashing Mr. Darcy

Unleashing Mr. Darcy

by Teri Wilson

If you love Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice but, like lots of us, felt a bit disappointed with all that simmering tension then you will love Unleashing Mr. Darcy. Unleashing Mr. Darcy takes Elizabeth Scott, a teacher at a fancy Manhattan private school who is on forced leave after an embarrassing misunderstanding who get's an offer from a kindly couple she meets at a dog show to come to London and be their "doggy nanny". But when an encounter with certain dashing Mr Donovan Darcy, London's m...moreIf you love Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice but, like lots of us, felt a bit disappointed with all that simmering tension then you will love Unleashing Mr. Darcy. Unleashing Mr. Darcy takes Elizabeth Scott, a teacher at a fancy Manhattan private school who is on forced leave after an embarrassing misunderstanding who get's an offer from a kindly couple she meets at a dog show to come to London and be their "doggy nanny". But when an encounter with certain dashing Mr Donovan Darcy, London's most eligible bachelor leaves her ruffled and just a bit weak at the knees she doesn't know what to do. Darcy represents everything she has come to hate - money and lots of it. But will that be prejudice be enough to save her heart? With a generous sprinkle of Jane Austen's famous quotes, and a Darcy in the pond (pool) scene that would be even better on screen than Colin Firth this book won't leave you disappointed

Review of Eliza's Home by Rachael Herron

Eliza's Home: A Cypress Hollow Novella

by Rachael Herron

If you haven't read the Cypress Hollow series this is a really great introduction and once you have read it - get a hold of the whole series and start reading because what are you waiting for???

 

I have read the series and loved how this gave a background into Eliza, who is the thread (pardon the pun!) of the whole series, and helps fill in the little gaps. Its also how the love story between Eliza and Joshua started which is just so sweet. And the way Rachael describes the little things in this story just bring it to life - I could totally picture the house as they were building it, all the little touches it was lovely.

 

I only have one thing negative to say - this is a Novella - I could of kept read a lot longer, I wanted to know more about Eliza and Joshua. I love this series and I hope there will be more.

 

 

The Cypress Hollow Series (these are the Australian Covers)

 

There is also the short story
                 And her Knitter's Book of Wisdom
Along with Rachel's heartfelt insight into her life so far

If you love Rural Romance, and a story with a heart (and some knitting as well) you will love Rachael Herron's series Cypress Hollow.

She has a new book coming out in March 2014 called Pack the Moon which is not part of this series but I am still looking forward to reading it.


You can find out more about Rachael, and her Knitting on her website http://yarnagogo.com

Review of The Girl in the Yellow Vest by Loretta Hill

The Girl in the Yellow Vest

by Loretta Hill

I absolutely loved Loretta's first to books in this series - The Girl in the Steel-Capped Boots, and The Girl in the Hard Hat - so was very excited to get an early copy of The Girl in the Yellow Vest and I was definitely not disappointed.

This story starts with a wedding in Western Australia(which is a nice follow up from book 2) where Emily Woods finds her life hitting a brick wall, her long term boyfriend has just kicked her out, her engineering job is reduced to counting cracks in the concrete and she is desperate for a change. Her best friend Will (who also happens to be best friends with her ex)saves the day with a job offer with a construction team in North Queensland, that is after he managed to convince his grumpy boss 'Caesar' to employ Emily. But being one of the few females in the FIFO (fly-in fly-out)workforce and an ex who has decided he wants her back Emily's emotions are totally confused, and her best friend being the lovely Will doesn't help.

When Emily arrives in Queensland we are introduced to another storyline which blends in well, Charlotte 'Lottie' is struggling to keep her head above water, between looking after her mum with Alzheimer's, trying to mother her teenage sister and run the resort where the Barnes Inc FIFO workers stay, including Mark 'Caesar' Crawford the obnoxiously infuriating manager. But things are never as they seem and all of us hide secrets but when they start to come out who will get their heart broken?

Girl in the Yellow Vest brings us another collection of strong women struggling to make it in a man's world, while still trying to stay true to themselves. The crazy antics of the Barnes Inc workers and a declaration of love that rivals Mr Darcy for awkward and rude this book will make you laugh, maybe even cry, and make you feel grateful for true friends.

I can't wait to read more from the fabulously talented Loretta Hill!

Other books in this series:



(I received a eBook version of this from NetGalley but I would of brought it anyway - in fact as soon as it comes out in print I'm off to buy a copy!)