Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Favourite Books of 2013!

'Top Ten Tuesday' is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Lately I've seen some other book bloggers being quite enthusiastic about this weekly meme, so I decided to join in with the fun and try it out myself as well!  

  Top Ten Favourite Books of 2013   For Today's Top Ten Tuesday all bloggers got the chance to pick one of the previous Top Ten topics we'd like to do again or may have missed. Since I joined the Top Ten Tuesday club just a few weeks ago, there are quite a lot of fun and challenging lists to choose from. However, I decided to go for my 10 favourite books of 2013! I never got around to making a list of my favourite books of last year, and this is the perfect chance to do this, even though I might be about two months late, oops! 

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Giovanna Fletcher - 'Billy and Me'

 
Giovanna Fletcher released her debut novel 'Billy and Me' in May 2014 and it was a release I was really looking forward to. As soon as I read the title and the blurb and saw the cover of the book, I knew this would be chick lit I'd instantly fall in love with, and that is exactly what happened when I read the book. I can't wait to read Giovanna's second novel, 'You're The One That I Want', which will be released in May 2014!

Click here to read my review of 'Billy and Me'!

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Lindsey Kelk - 'About a Girl'

Lindsey Kelk is without a doubt one of my favourite chick lit authors. Her 'I Love...' series is an absolute must-read for any chick lit fan, but 2013 introduced us to a new Lindsey Kelk series! 'About a Girl' tells the story of new heroine Tess, and was everything I had hoped for: thoroughly entertaining, incredibly funny, and simply sparkling! In 2014 the second part of the series will be published, 'What a Girl Wants', and I can't wait to pick it up!

Click here to read my review of 'About a Girl'!

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Kirsty Greenwood - 'Yours Truly'

Kirsty Greenwood's debut novel 'Yours Truly' was one of the best chick lit debuts of 2013 and I couldn't simply not mention it on this list. 'Yours Truly' tells the story of Natalie Butterworth who manages to get hypnotized, which completely turns her life around. The novel's not just funny and a definite page-turner, but also has a lovely handsome male character at its core... I'm looking forward to reading more of Kirsty's work in 2014!

Click here to read my review of 'Yours Truly'!

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Diane Chamberlain - 'Necessary Lies'

I unexpectedly received a review copy of Diane Chamberlain's novel 'Necessary Lies' and was completely blown away by it. The book is set in America in the 1960's and tells the story of Ivy and Jane, who both lead completely different lives but are brought together, which results in a simply wonderful tale. Diane Chamberlain is an amazing author and I definitely plan on reading more of her work in 2014. 

Click here to read my review of 'Necessary Lies'!

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Kim Izzo - 'My Life in Black and White'

Kim Izzo is another author I was introduced to in 2013, and I really fell in love with her novel 'My Life in Black and White.' I can honestly say it's a book unlike anything else I read before, and I simply did not want to put it down. The book is a time-travel romantic comedy, in which the reader is transported from the present day to the 1950's, and is suitable for any reader, not just fans of chick lit. A read I still recommend to others every chance I get!

Click here to read my review of 'My Life in Black and White'!

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Miranda Dickinson - 'Take a Look at Me Now'

One of the queens of chick lit, Miranda Dickinson, treated us to another brilliant read in 2013 in the shape of 'Take a Look at Me Now.' I love love love Miranda Dickinson's novels, they are always filled with amazing characters, a wonderful storyline, and a good dose of romance. This one definitely did not disappoint; Nell's story is one I thoroughly enjoyed and the book earned a well-deserved place on my favourites list!

Click here to read my review of 'Take a Look at Me Now'!

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 Emily Liebert - 'You Knew Me When'

 

Next to 'A Spoonful of Happy Endings', I'm also a book blogger for Chick Lit Club and that is how I got into touch with a publisher about Emily Liebert's 'You Knew Me When.' Sometimes you read a book and just after a few pages you already know you've fallen in love and don't want the book to end. That's exactly what I felt when I read this novel. I loved absolutely everything about it, and it is undoubtedly one of my favourite reads of the past year.

Click here to read my review of 'You Knew Me When'!

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Charity Norman - 'The Son-in-Law'

 

Another book I was asked to review and was completely blown away by. Charity Norman's 'The Son-in-Law' is an incredibly emotional and realistic read; a story that has stayed with me up until this day. It's a book that looks at a rather serious topic from two different points of view, which really captivated me and proved once again that there are always two sides to every story. A must-read!

Click here to read my review of 'The Son-in-Law'!

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Alexandra Brown - 'Christmas at Carrington's'

 

 

 At the start of 2013, I read Alexandra Brown's novel 'Cupcakes at Carrington's' and I instantly loved the storyline and the characters at its centre. At the end of last year we were treated to the Christmas-themed sequel, 'Christmas at Carrington's' which was definitely one of my favourite Christmas releases of 2013! I loved travelling back to the world of heroine Georgie Hart and Carrington's department store. A wonderfully festive novel, and I'm already really looking forward to the third part in the series which will be released this year!

Click here to read my review of 'Christmas at Carrington's'!

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Lisa Dickenson - 'The Twelve Dates of Christmas'

Another Christmas read which I enjoyed SO much it had to be the one to end this list with! Lisa Dickenson's 'The Twelve Dates of Christmas' was released at the end of 2013 as an e-book series, with 6 different parts focusing on 2 of the 12 dates as mentioned in the title. The story is incredibly funny, magical, and simply brilliant, and I honestly can't wait to see what else Lisa has in store for us. Even if it means I have to start a petition in order to have more of her work published!

Click here to read my review of 'The Twelve Dates of Christmas'!

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I'd love to hear what YOUR favourite reads of 2013 were!

Interview with Diane Chamberlain & 'Necessary Lies' Giveaway!

Yesterday I updated the blog with my review of Diane Chamberlain's new novel 'Necessary Lies.' It's a heartfelt and powerful read you will not want to put down, so I highly recommend it to all of you! I was lucky enough to get the chance to ask Diane some questions about her new novel; you can read the interview below!

 

Can you tell us something about your latest novel, ‘Necessary Lies’?
Necessary Lies is the story of Jane, a young, inexperienced social worker and her fifteen-year-old client Ivy, who lives in poverty on a tobacco farm.  When Jane learns she's required to refer Ivy for an involuntary sterilization procedure, she has to find a way to buck the system.

Where did you find the inspiration for the plotline of ‘Necessary Lies’?
The sterilization program really existed in North Carolina from the '20s to the '70s. Many states in America had such a program, designed to prevent mentally ill, mentally retarded and epileptic people from reproducing, but North Carolina was the only state that allowed social workers to refer their clients for the procedure.

In your books you like to focus on complex relationships between people. Which relationship between two characters in this novel did you most enjoy writing about and why?
Oh, I loved writing about the blossoming relationship between Jane and Ivy. Although they come from very different backgrounds--Jane had a comfortable life in the city, while Ivy is dirt poor--they connect as young women who've both suffered tragedy in their lives. I was very touched by their relationship.

Is there a specific reason why you decided to set this novel in the 1960’s?
I chose 1960 because the sterilization program was still active then and I wanted to illustrate how relatively recently "we" allowed such unethical policies to exist.

You’ve written 22 novels up to this day which have been translated into numerous languages. Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?
I have a few tips, based on the mistakes I see aspiring authors make. First, learn to write. If you don't know how to string two sentences together in a way that engages, take a class. Find a group of writers with whom you can share your work and give and get feedback. And finally, write even if you don't feel like it. You can make it pretty tomorrow, but you must get it down on paper today.

Last but not least: if you had to describe ‘Necessary Lies’ in just three words, which words would you pick?
Heartfelt. Shocking. Hopeful. 

** GIVEAWAY of Diane Chamberlain's 'Necessary Lies' ***

I am very pleased to let you all know PanMacmillan has kindly provided me with 3 copies of 'Necessary Lies' to give away to some lucky readers! Unfortunately, this giveaway is only open to UK & Ireland residents, but I promise an international giveaway will be coming your way soon!

Check out the synopsis of 'Necessary Lies' below:


After losing her parents, fifteen-year-old Ivy Hart is left to care for her grandmother, older sister and nephew as tenants on a small tobacco farm.  As she struggles with her grandmother’s aging, her sister’s mental illness and her own epilepsy, she realizes they might need more than she can give.

When Jane Forrester takes a position as Grace County’s newest social worker, she doesn’t realize just how much her help is needed.  She quickly becomes emotionally invested in her clients' lives, causing tension with her boss and her new husband.  But as Jane is drawn in by the Hart women, she begins to discover the secrets of the small farm—secrets much darker than she would have guessed.  Soon, she must decide whether to take drastic action to help them, or risk losing the battle against everything she believes is wrong.

In order to be in with a chance, please comment on this post explaining why you would love a copy of 'Necessary Lies', leaving your name and e-mail address. 

This giveaway ends on the 9th of August 2013 at midnight (UK time). Winners will be chosen at random and will be notified the day after. Good luck! :)

Review: 'Necessary Lies' by Diane Chamberlain (2013)

After losing her parents, fifteen-year-old Ivy Hart is left to care for her grandmother, older sister and nephew as tenants on a small tobacco farm.  As she struggles with her grandmother’s aging, her sister’s mental illness and her own epilepsy, she realizes they might need more than she can give.

When Jane Forrester takes a position as Grace County’s newest social worker, she doesn’t realize just how much her help is needed.  She quickly becomes emotionally invested in her clients' lives, causing tension with her boss and her new husband.  But as Jane is drawn in by the Hart women, she begins to discover the secrets of the small farm—secrets much darker than she would have guessed.  Soon, she must decide whether to take drastic action to help them, or risk losing the battle against everything she believes is wrong.

While I was on holiday I received a message from the lovely Becky at PanMacmillan to ask me whether I would perhaps be interested in reviewing Diane Chamberlain’s new release, ‘Necessary Lies.’ I wasn’t familiar with Diane Chamberlain, but I instantly loved the cover (the colour combination caught my attention straight away) and the blurb sounded really interesting and like something slightly different from my usual reads. So, on my train ride to work this week I brought ‘Necessary Lies’ with me, and ever since I’ve been stuck with my nose in it!

‘Necessary Lies’ focuses on two female characters living in the USA in the 1960’s. On the one hand, we have 15-year-old Ivy Hart who lives together with her grandmother, her sister Mary Ella and her young nephew William as tenants on a tobacco farm in Grace County, North Carolina. Life isn’t easy for Ivy; she lost her parents, her sister is not mentally stable, and her grandmother is finding it more difficult to deal with everyday life in general. Thankfully, she has Henry, the boy she is in love with, and their secret nightly meetings to get her through it all. Then there’s Jane Forrester; a 22-year-old newlywed who takes on her first job as a social worker. Jane is immediately introduced to a world she knew hardly anything about and she quickly gets emotionally invested in her clients’ lives, specifically the Hart family. However, it doesn’t take long before Jane finds herself surrounded by lies and secrets, and asking herself one main basic question, the question of what is right and what is wrong in life.

I was captivated by this novel from the very first page. It is incredibly well-written, and I was immediately fascinated by both Ivy and Jane. They are very different characters, but both bring an interesting and captivating storyline to the table. I really enjoyed how with each chapter the protagonist of the story changed, while at the same time the two perspectives were linked together continually. I particularly liked Jane; I loved her innocence at the beginning and how she develops into a strong woman who will do anything to fight for her beliefs and what she thinks is right.

‘Necessary Lies’ reminded me somewhat of Kathryn Stockett’s ‘The Help’: both novels are set in the USA in the 1960’s, focus on female protagonists, and are about women working together or helping one another with an important and controversial cause in mind. I loved ‘Necessary Lies’ just as much as I loved ‘The Help’. The story had me hooked and I didn’t want to put the novel down, but at the same time I didn’t want to get closer to the ending, because it would mean finishing the book. While I was reading, I found out there is actually a prequel to this novel, ‘The First Lie.’ I can’t wait to read it myself, but I believe you don’t need it to understand the novel. ‘Necessary Lies’ is an incredibly well-written and powerful read that will touch your heart and tells a story that will most like stay with you for a long, long time!

Rating:10/10       

Be sure to keep an eye on this blog the upcoming days for an exclusive give-away of 3 copies of 'Necessary Lies' and an interview with Diane Chamberlain! 

August 2013 releases to look forward to! (Part 1)

At the end of July, I guess we can finally say that summer has definitely arrived in Europe! I've been on holiday for two weeks in the UK and had the loveliest weather, so managed to spend some nice days wearing sun dresses, reading good books, and enjoying (probably too much, oops) ice cream! And *snap*, before you know it, August is almost upon us, which of course means lots of great new releases! Whether you still need some ideas for novels to take with you on holiday, or whether you are already back home and need some cheering up because you had to say goodbye to the summer holiday bliss too soon... I'm sure this list of upcoming releases will bring a smile to your face!

Rebecca Chance - 'Killer Queens' (1st of August 2013)

Every little girl grows up dreaming of finding a prince - but what if the fairy tale turns into a right royal nightmare? 

Lori is a beautiful, blonde, all-American athlete. When the charismatic ruler of a small, filthy rich European state asks for her hand, she thinks she's snagged Prince Charming. But she soon realizes that all that glitters is not gold... 

Belinda was once the most recognized and loved princess in the world. Forced to stage her own death, she lives incognito abroad with her adoring royal lover. Now, she is determined to return to England to see her son Hugo wed, even if it means risking her own life. 

Chloe, Prince Hugo's fiancée, is the archetypical English rose. But it's a long road to becoming a princess, even when you're dating the heir to the throne. Perhaps the fairy-tale ending isn't all it was cracked up to be... 

Killer queens, scheming kings, murder plots and lashings of steamy sex - find out what REALLY goes on behind closed palace doors. 

Why so excited? --> I'm so incredibly excited about this novel, and I am sure many of you will want to pick up your own copy as well after just reading the blurb! As a real girly-girl, I love everything that has to do with royalty, princesses, gorgeous gowns, castles... So, the fact that this novel focuses not on one, but three different female characters within the world of glamorous royalty, makes me want to get my hands on this book as soon as possible!

Claudia Carroll - 'Me and You' (1st of August 2013)

I’m fine. I’m sorry. Please take care of him for me. And maybe one day I’ll get to explain.

Angie knows a lot about her best friend Kitty.

She knows Kitty is mad and wild and loves to wear clashing colours. She knows she’s incredibly funny and generous but also very unreliable.

And she knows that there is a perfect explanation for Kitty standing her up on her birthday.

She thinks she knows everything about Kitty, except she doesn’t.

Kitty knows that she is the happiest she has ever been.

She knows she’s so lucky to have a lovely boyfriend, Simon and a best friend like Angie. But what she doesn’t know is that on this night, her past is finally going to catch up with her and change everything.

Why so excited? --> I read my first Claudia Carroll novel at the start of this year, and really enjoyed it. I've heard good things about her latest release, 'Me and You', so I can't wait to read this one. The blurb doesn't give too much away, but already manages to intrigue me. What will happen to Angie and Kitty? What is it about Kitty's past? I have high hopes for this book and can't wait to read it!

Louise Candlish - 'The Disappearance of Emily Marr' (1st of August 2013)

Arriving on the windswept Ile de Re off the coast of France, Tabby Dewhurst is heartbroken and penniless, unable even to afford a room for the night. Then she overhears a villager repeating aloud the access code to her front door and, hardly believing her own actions, Tabby waits for the villager to leave and lets herself into the house...

And so she enters the strange, hidden world of Emmie, whose sudden offer of friendship is at odds with her obsession with her own privacy. Soon Tabby begins to form suspicions about Emmie, suspicions that will lead her back to England – and to a scandal with shattering consequences.

Why so excited? --> I've never read anything by Louise Candlish before, but the beautiful cover of 'The Disappearance of Emily Marr' straight away caught my eye. The blurb also has a mysterious sound to it, and I've become quite curious to learn more about Tabby and Emmie and the scandal that is mentioned!

Catherine Alliot - 'My Husband Next Door' (1st of August 2013)

When Ella married the handsome, celebrated artist Sebastian Montclair at just nineteen she was madly in love. Now, those blissful years of marriage have turned into the very definition of an unconventional set-up. Separated in every way but distance, Sebastian resides in an outhouse across the lawn from Ella's ramshackle farmhouse.

With an ex-husband living under her nose and a home crowded by hostile teenaged children, gender-confused chickens - not to mention her hyper critical mother whose own marriage slips spectacularly off the rails - Ella finds comfort in the company of the very charming gardener, Ludo.

Then out of the blue Sebastian decides to move on, catching Ella horribly unawares. How much longer can she hide from what really destroyed her marriage . . . and the secret she continues to keep?

Why so excited? --> 'My Husband Next Door' sounds like a trustworthy, enjoyable chick lit novel, and to my opinion you can't ever read enough of those. I like the idea of Ella living so close to her ex-husband, and can only imagine the kind of situations that will lead to. Especially if you add a hunky gardener to the story!

Sinead Moriarty - 'Mad About You' (1st of August 2013)

Emma and James Hamilton have weathered lots of storms in their ten-year marriage. From the heartbreak of infertility, to the craziness of then becoming parents to two babies in one year, to coping with James losing his job, somehow they have always worked as a team.

However, the pressure of moving from Dublin to London for James's new job - away from familiar surroundings and the family Emma loves - puts them under stress like never before. So when James starts getting texts from a stranger - texts that show startling insights into their lives - Emma is not sure what to think. She is far from home, isolated and before long finds herself questioning everything about their relationship.

Maybe those texts are telling her the truth and the life she believed to be solid and secure is just a mirage. Somehow she has to get a grip, but how can she do that when a stranger is set on driving Emma out of her home and her marriage?

Why so excited? --> I've read about Sinead Moriarty being compared to authors like Marian Keyes and Jodi Picoult, which are both big names within women's fiction. 'Mad About You' sounds like a slightly more dramatic novel than a typical chick lit, and it has definitely caught my attention. Looks like a promising read!

Milly Johnson - 'It's Raining Men' (1st of August 2013)

A summer getaway to remember. But is a holiday romance on the cards…? 

Best friends from work May, Lara and Clare are desperate for some time away. They have each had a rough time of it lately and need some serious R & R. So they set off to a luxurious spa for ten glorious days, but when they arrive at their destination, it seems it is not the place they thought it was. In fact, they appear to have come to entirely the wrong village… 

Here in Ren Dullem nothing is quite what it seems; the lovely cobbled streets and picturesque cottages hide a secret that the villagers have been keeping hidden for years. Why is everyone so unfriendly and suspicious? Why does the landlord of their holiday rental seem so rude? And why are there so few women in the village? Despite the strange atmosphere, the three friends are determined to make the best of it and have a holiday to remember. But will this be the break they all need? Or will the odd little village with all its secrets bring them all to breaking point…?

Why so excited? --> I adore Milly Johnson's novels. They're always great fun and have gorgeous covers! I have been looking forward to the release of 'It's Raining Men' for quite some time now, and I'm really glad it's almost August so I can finally get my hands on a copy! I love the sound of the story: three best friends needing some time off, finding themselves in a small village with a secret... Can't wait!

Diane Chamberlain - 'Necessary Lies' (1st of August 2013)

North Carolina, 1960. Newlywed Jane Forrester, fresh out of university, is seeking what most other women have shunned: a career.

But life as a social worker is far from what she expected. Out amongst the rural Tobacco fields of Grace County, Jane encounters a world of extreme poverty that is far removed from the middle-class life she has grown up with.

But worse is still to come. Working with the Hart family and their fifteen-year-old daughter Ivy, it’s not long before Jane uncovers a shocking secret, and is thrust into a moral dilemma that puts her career on the line, threatens to dissolve her marriage, and ultimately, determines the fate of Ivy and her family forever.

Soon Jane is forced to take drastic action, and before long, there is no turning back.

Why so excited? --> Another enchanting cover and an intriguing blurb! I received a review copy of this novel, and I can't wait to start reading it. I like the fact that the novel is set in the 1960's and Jane sounds like a fascinating character with an interesting story to tell. Looking forward to reading this!

Be sure to visit this blog in the upcoming days to read about more fabulous August 2013 releases!