Blog Tour: 'The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper' by Phaedra Patrick!

When Arthur Pepper discovers a mysterious charm bracelet in his late wife’s wardrobe, he sets off on a journey to discover, charm by charm, her secret life before they met.
Having been married for over 40 years, 69-year-old Arthur Pepper is mourning the loss of his wife. On the anniversary of her death, he finally musters the courage to go through her possessions, and happens upon a charm bracelet that he has never seen before.
What follows is a surprising adventure that takes Arthur from London to Paris and India in an epic quest to find out the truth about his wife’s secret life before they met, a journey that leads him to find healing, self-discovery, and love in the most unexpected of places.
I am really excited to be part of the blog tour for quite a special novel today, namely Phaedra Patrick's recent release 'The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper'. The book will be released on April 7 by MIRA and I am really happy to have been given the chance to read and review the novel as part of the blog tour. I also have some exclusive content from author Phaedra Patrick herself, so be sure to scroll down and have a look at that as well! The tour will have several more stops in the next few days, so don't forget to visit some of the other blogs taking part to read more about both the author and the book itself!
Sixty-nine-year-old Arthur Pepper has been trying to deal with the loss of his wife of forty years, Miriam, but a year after her death he is still finding it difficult. When he is cleaning out her closet, he is surprised to find a beautiful charm bracelet he has never seen before, hidden in one of Miriam's boots. On one of the charms Arthur discovers a telephone number which he decides to phone. This turns out to be the start of a whole new adventure for Arthur; suddenly pulling him from his daily routine and sending him on a quest to discover things about Miriam he never knew, while also forcing him to take another good look at his own life and the people around him.
I can honestly say 'The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper' is one of the best and touching reads I've read so far this year and undoubtedly a story that will stay with me for quite some time to come. One of the absolute strengths of the book is its protagonist; Arthur Pepper. I absolutely fell in love with Arthur and just wanted to jump into the pages of the novel and hug him, over and over again. I loved joining him on this journey, started by the discovery of a beautiful charm bracelet that belonged to his wife Miriam, who passed away a year ago. The bracelet brings Arthur to all kinds of different places where he meets all kinds of people, resulting in a truly wonderful story.
Author Phaedra Patrick has created a lovely tale which I am sure almost everyone will enjoy, no matter what your favourite genre is. I personally really enjoyed her writing style which was quite descriptive with not too much dialogue, but still well-paced and captivating at all times. I really just wanted to keep on reading until the very end, and there aren’t many novels which I can just finish in one sitting. Next to Arthur, there are some wonderful secondary characters as well, and together they all contribute to this great story I can’t recommend enough. Overall, ‘The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper’ is a beautifully written, uplifting and heart-warming read you will not regret picking up; one of my favourite reads of 2016 so far!

Rating:10/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Quick Fire Q&A with Phaedra Patrick!
I'm so excited to be part of the blog for Phaedra Patrick's wonderful new novel 'The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper.' Phaedra was lovely enough to do a quick fire Q&A as a part of the blog tour, so be sure to check out her answers below!

 Summer or Winter. Summer Early Bird or Night Owl. Early bird
Take away or Meal Out. Meal out Cats or Dogs. Cats Sweet or Savoury. Sweet Adventure holiday or Relaxed beach holiday. Beach Ant or Dec. Neither. Dermot o'Leary instead Tablet or Paperback. Paperback Tea or Coffee. I don't drink either Rural or Urban. Both! Bracelet or Necklace. Necklace Grammys or Oscars. Oscars Spicy or Mild. Spicy Fiction or non-ficton. Fiction Books or Movies. Don't make me choose! Both Action or Comedy. Action Dress up or Dress down. Dress down Eggs – Scrambled or Fried. Omelette only. Call or text. Text Sky dive or Bungee jump. None. Zipwire instead. Ghosts or vampires. Vampires

Thanks, Phaedra! :)

Blog Tour: 'House of Shadows' by Nicola Cornick

London, 1662: There was something the Winter Queen needed to tell him. She fought for the strength to speak. ‘The crystal mirror is a danger. It must be destroyed – ‘ He replied instantly. ‘It will’.
Ashdown, Oxfordshire, present day: Ben Ansell is researching his family tree when he disappears. As his sister Holly begins a desperate search, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to an ornate antique mirror and to the diary of Lavinia, a 19th century courtesan who was living at Ashdown House when it burned to the ground over 200 years ago.
Intrigued, and determined to find out more about the tragedy at Ashdown, Holly’s only hope is that uncovering the truth about the past will lead her to Ben.
When I was contacted about author Nicola Cornick’s newest release ‘House of Shadows’, I immediately knew this was a book I definitely wanted to read (and not just because of the gorgeous cover!). One of the things I love most is visiting old country houses. Whenever I go on a trip to the UK I try to plan in as many visits to National Trust estates as I can, and I have actually visited Ashdown House, where ‘House of Shadows’ is set. Nicola Cornick volunteers as a guide and local historian at this National Trust property and I love how it inspired her to write ‘House of Shadows.’ The book will be released by Mira on November 5th and I am really excited to be part of the blog tour for the novel today, with not just a review but also an interview with Nicola herself, so be sure to scroll down and have a read! 
Holly Ansell finds herself travelling to Oxfordshire in the middle of the night when she receives a frantic phone call, revealing her brother Ben has suddenly gone missing. Holly’s gut feeling tells her something is going on, because Ben wouldn’t just leave his family without letting anyone know. After a bit of research, Holly discovers Ben was actually in the middle of some research into Ashdown House and its inhabitants and history. A mysterious crystal mirror eventually leads Holly to the stories of 19th century courtesan Lavinia and Elizabeth Stuart, also known as the Winter Queen, who lived in the 17th century. In a way, Elizabeth, Lavinia and Holly are all connected to one another and it’s up to Holly to discover what that connection is and hopefully bring back her brother Ben…

‘House of Shadows’ is a fabulous time-slip novel which intrigued me from start to finish and a read which I thoroughly enjoyed. The book is set in three different time periods: the 17th century, the 19th century, and the present day, with three female characters at its core. I loved the fact that the story of Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen, is actually based on factual history. Lavinia, the 19th century courtesan was a fascinating addition with her tale, and main protagonist Holly brought it all together. While I didn’t really warm to Holly as much as I would have liked (there was just something a bit distant about her as a character), I was interested by the story and didn’t want to put the book down until everything had been solved; it really kept me guessing until the last few chapters.

I love historical time-slip novels and this is definitely a great one with topics such as power struggles, an intriguing mystery and a nice touch of romance as well. However, one of the definite strengths of the book is its setting. I think it probably helped that I actually visited Ashdown House myself, but it’s a gorgeous country house and it suited the story so well; I loved it and it really added something special to the novel for me. The book is quite long with around 450 pages, but I do think this length was needed to explain everything and provide the reader with enough detail to understand everything. Overall, I thought ‘House of Shadows’ is a real page-turner; a captivating historical romance with a fascinating element of mystery added to it. I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it to any historical romance fans!

Rating:9/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Interview with Nicola Cornick!
I'm so excited to be part of the blog tour for 'House of Shadows' today and next to my review, I also have a special interview with Nicola Cornick herself to share with all of you!

Can you tell us something about your novel, ‘House of Shadows’? House of Shadows is a historical mystery laced with intrigue, romance and the supernatural. It’s an epic story across three hundred and fifty years of history but it’s also the intensely personal story of three women dealing with the challenges of their time. Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? The main inspiration for the book was the fascinating relationship between Elizabeth, the Winter Queen, who was the sister of King Charles I, and William Craven, a gallant cavalier to whom she may have been secretly married. I came across the story when I was researching the history of the Craven family and it intrigued me. Can you tell us a bit more about the main characters in the book? Holly is the main character in the contemporary strand of the book. She is on a desperate quest to discover why her brother Ben has disappeared. It forces her to step outside of the comfortable life she has built for herself and question the things that are truly important to her. Elizabeth, the Winter Queen, has to fight for what she believes in after the death of her husband Frederick, and be strong in order to secure the future of her children. And Lavinia, a Regency courtesan, is challenged by the conflict between love and self-interest.   One of the most important settings in the book is Ashdown House in Oxfordshire, a National Trust property where you volunteer as a guide. Why did you decide to use this house as the setting of your novel? Ashdown House is one of those places that enchants people. We have visitors who come to look round and are completely swept away by its beauty and the history behind it. In my case I was intrigued by the love story of William Craven and Elizabeth: Did they marry in secret? Were all the rumours that swirled about their relationship true? The combination of Ashdown’s stunning appearance and the Elizabeth and William’s story was totally inspiring to me. Do you have a favourite spot at Ashdown House which you’re willing to share with us? My favourite place at Ashdown is the grand staircase, which sweeps up through four floors to the roof terrace. I have indulged in the occasional daydream of dressing up in a 17th century gown and pretending to be Elizabeth! One of the things I love about the stair is that William Craven, being a soldier, had it built wide enough to stage a sword fight on it. The 17th century was a politically unstable time and he knew there was always the chance he might have to defend his house by force. We staged a re-enactment a few years ago and it was terrifying! The novel is set in three different time periods. Why did you decide to do this and why did you pick these particular periods? I originally started with dual time periods; Holly unravels Elizabeth and William’s story in the present as part of her quest to find her brother. Then I thought it would be fun to have part of the story in the form of a diary or memoir, which is where Lavinia came in. I have a very soft spot for Lavinia. Her character is based on that of the famous courtesan Harriette Wilson, who was the mistress of the 7th Lord Craven. I have always enjoyed writing Regency-set stories and so I loved telling Lavinia’s story in her own words. Elizabeth, Holly and Lavinia are all bound together through time and destiny and it was huge fun – and a huge challenge – to bring their stories together across the 17th century, the 19th century and the present. Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you perhaps already working on a next novel? I am! My next book is similar in that it is a historical mystery with romance and the supernatural mixed in. This one features two time periods, the Tudor era and the present. It tells the story of Mary Seymour, daughter of Queen Catherine Parr and Thomas Seymour. The official records of Mary end when she was a child and I wanted to write about what might have happened to her in her adult life. I love taking a real-life historical mystery and speculating on what happened next! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I would always encourage aspiring writers to believe in themselves and to keep writing even if they suffer knock backs on their road to publication.  It took me 12 years to get my first book published. Writing requires determination and application as well as imagination! What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others? One of my “keeper” books that I read and re-read is Daphne Du Maurier’s Frenchman’s Creek. For me, she is the queen of historical mystery and intrigue. It was Daphne Du Maurier who started me off on a reading journey that led to Barbara Erskine and Susanna Kearsley and the love of timeslip stories I have today! And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘House of Shadows’ in just three words, which words would you pick? Romantic, atmospheric and intriguing!

Thanks so much, Nicola!

Blog Tour: 'The Island Escape' by Kerry Fisher!

I am so excited to be part of the blog tour for author Kerry Fisher's latest release 'The Island Escape today! The book looks like an amazing read and I can't wait to finally sit down with it myself. I was lucky enough to do a short interview with Kerry about her newest novel, so be sure to check out her answers to my questions below!
Can you tell us something about your new novel, ‘The Island Escape’? I set out to write about whether one woman’s marriage could survive her best friend’s divorce. I wanted to depict a ‘warts and all’ friendship – even the closest friendships can be put to the test if one person behaves in a way that the other fundamentally disagrees with. As always in my novels, I like to weave in a foreign location so I used Corsica and Sardinia as a backdrop for some of the action.
Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? Is it in any way based on your own experiences? The setting is based on my own experiences as I lived in Corsica for a year when I was nineteen. The inspiration came from hearing so many people say, ‘I didn’t think my life would turn out like this’. When we’re twenty, I think we all have an idea of what our future will look like but the reality is often very different.
Can you tell us a bit more about the main character, Octavia? When she was young, with her pink hair, penchant for mischief and zest for adventure, she thought she’d live an exotic life somewhere in the Mediterranean with free-spirited children. Instead she’s ended up in suburbia with a rather dull and unavailable husband, wondering how her dreams turned to drudgery. When her best friend, Roberta, gets divorced, it acts as a catalyst. She starts obsessing about ‘the one who got away’ – a wild and charismatic Corsican called Xavi. Can she resist going to search for him?
There’s a great cast of supporting characters in the novel as well. Which character did you most enjoy writing?  I loved writing Octavia’s rather staid husband, Jonathan. It was lovely to put to good use all the little idiosyncrasies I’ve observed in pernickety people over the years – the endless shoe cleaning, the dramatic over-reaction if anything gets spilled, the obsession with kids not getting muddy in the park…
Did you do any particular research for parts of the book? As with all my books, it doesn’t feel like formal research but I’m listening to people’s conversations all the time, the things they worry about, how they judge other people, how competitive they are…a million and one bits of research that make up every day conversation.
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you perhaps already working on a next novel?  I’ve already finished my next novel – it’s about how small secrets grow more toxic as they pass down the generations, intertwined with the very contemporary challenge of parenting teenagers (no parallel with my own life, clearly!). 
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I say this all the time but it’s so true: you will have to believe in yourself long before anyone else does. Unless you’re a genius, most people have to learn how to write. Build your confidence by taking writing courses, reading about the craft, going to workshops. Network on social media and in real life with agents and other authors. Most of my best opportunities have come from face-to-face meetings. Social media can’t replace real life encounters though it’s a great place to chat to likeminded people.
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others? The book I really enjoyed recently in a genre (historical) I don’t normally read was Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey. It’s touching, poignant and just makes you long for everything to turn out well for the protagonists.
Which book could you not live without? The New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors. The most ridiculous punctuation mark in the English language is the hyphen. Who could ever know when you need one and when you don’t? They’re the bane of my life. This book saves me a full day’s editing, every time!
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘The Island Escape’ in just three words, which words would you pick?  Feel-good, romantic and nostalgic.

Thanks so much, Kerry!

Blog Tour: 'The Two of Us' by Andy Jones!

Falling in love is the easy part. What matters most is what happens next...
Fisher and Ivy have been an item for a whole nineteen days. And they just know they are meant to be together. The fact that they know little else about each other is a minor detail. Over the course of twelve months, in which their lives will change forever, Fisher and Ivy discover that falling in love is one thing, but staying there is an entirely different story.
I'm really excited to share my review of Andy Jones' 'The Two of Us' with all of you today as part of the blog tour for this new release! I was lucky enough to receive an early review copy of Andy Jones’ promising novel ‘The Two of Us’ a few months ago. The Kindle edition of the book was released by Simon & Schuster in February 2015 and the paperback version followed on the 7th of May. I mostly read fiction written by female authors, so I looked forward to picking up this one, a romantic novel written by a male author and with a male perspective! Since the Kindle release of 'The Two of Us' I've only heard positive things, so I definitely had my fingers crossed for an entertaining read. I've also had the chance to ask Andy some questions about his book as part of the blog tour, so be sure to scroll down and have a look!
Will Fisher and Ivy Lee have only known each other for a few weeks, but they find themselves in the middle of a whirlwind romance; completely crazy about each other and not really caring about anything else that's happening in the world around them. But then the excitement is suddenly taken away when, to Fisher's surprise, Ivy seems to lose interest. This is, however, just the start of twelve months in the lives of William and Ivy; filled with big changes, for the both of them, in which they will have to decide whether they want to tackle things together or go their separate ways.
I actually ended up starting and finishing this book in one day and that hardly ever happens to me. I instantly fell in love with Andy Jones' writing style, which is well-paced, flows easily and managed to hit me with the right emotions over and over again, from laughter to tears. I really enjoyed experiencing things from the perspective of the main male character, Fisher. He's a great guy; down-to-earth, crazy about a girl and trying to figure out what it is she wants and what he himself wants. All characters were really well-drawn, though, and realistic. I personally didn't particularly warm to Ivy, who is quite a complex character, but this definitely didn't stop me from enjoying the book. 
I liked the fact that there was a focus on the romance side of the story, but also a focus on the friendship between Fisher and his best friend El, who is suffering from Huntington's disease. This part of the book was incredibly touching to read and just heart-breaking in places. I don't want to give too much away about what happens in the book, but it deals with some contemporary and realistic topics in a moving and convincing way. This novel is actually a follow-up to Andy Jones' 'Girl 99', but can undoubtedly be read as a stand-alone. Overall, 'The Two of Us' is a touching, addictive and honest love story that will make you both laugh out loud and shed a few tears; a truly enjoyable read that is certainly worth picking up!

Rating:8,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Author Interview with Andy Jones!

Hello Spoonful of Happy Endings, thank you so much for inviting me to be on your blog. In case you’re wondering (and lord knows why you would be, but, hey…) I’m writing this at the kitchen table while Mrs Jones unloads boxes of spices into the new cupboards. We’ve had the builders in, you see, and, finally, we have our house back. It is a lovely spring evening; I’ve got a glass of white six inches from my right hand and Robert Plant on Spotify. It’s first time I’ve written at this table in this room; but I have a feeling I’ll be doing a lot more – the light is lovely. So, to the Qs:
Can you tell us something about your new novel, ‘The Two of Us’?
If I had to give you an elevator pitch, I’d tell you it was about what happens after happily ever after. Lots of romantic books (very good ones) deal with the getting together, but this one is more concerned with staying together. William Fisher and Ivy Lee are smitten. They have zero doubt that they have found their perfect partner; all they need to do now is spend the rest of their lives in a
state of perpetual romantic joy, waking up every day with a pair of big old self-satisfied smiles plastered across their faces. Or so they think. 
Normally, I’d leave it there. But it’s hard to talk further about the book without revealing what happens on page 50. It’s a good twist; a surprise that turns their worlds upside down, and for a while I thought that event was best kept secret. But … maybe you’ve already guessed, but if not, brace yourself, because here it comes: The very first time William and Ivy make love, Ivy gets pregnant. So the rest of the book deals with the way the couple deal with this bombshell. They have to move in, learn about each other (and there’s plenty to learn), and figure out if – when push comes to, well, push push push – they are meant for each other after all. It’s a funny story, I hope. But I’ve made a point of keeping it honest and true-to-life, and as such there are surprises, disappointments and some deeply sad events. It’s told exclusively through William’s point of view, so the reader gets an insight into the way men feel about and deal with these situations.
Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? Is it in any way based on your own experiences?
Well the novel was inspired by another novel. I wrote a book called Girl 99 a few years ago and self-published it on Kindle. It was the ‘getting together’ story of William and Ivy. So I got to know the characters pretty well – they were very vivid to me. The book ends with the couple making love for the first time, and I always wondered: What if? And that’s where I started – I thought about all the
possible ways the next few days and months might play out for them and ended up with The Two of Us. It’s not based on my experiences, no. But me and Mr Jones do make a cameo: 
When Mrs Jones went into labour with our second girl at 2.00 a.m., things moved fast. I mean Holy-Shit fast. We got the hospital, I parked, ran around to her side, opened the passenger door and Mrs J just went down on her knees in the deserted carpark and came extraordinarily close to delivering our baby onto the tarmac (my friend joked later that we would have been obliged to call her Parker). I found a wheelchair and got Mrs Jones up to the delivery ward – and I’m not exaggerating – approximately four and a half minutes before our baby made her big appearance. I should add that this scene doesn’t happen to William and Ivy, but they do witness it.
Can you tell us a bit more about the main character, Fisher?
I don’t know why I keep calling him William in this Q&A; he prefers to go by his surname, Fisher. So let’s get back on track – Fisher. I could tell you lots of ‘stuff’ about Fisher: he directs commercials for a living; he likes to cook; he’s sincere but also a bit of a berk at times … but I think the important points are the aspects of his character revealed under duress. He has some growing up to do, and he’s been dropped into a tough spot so that process has to be accelerated. Also, Ivy is older than Fisher, she’s seen more life than him, she’s quieter and less demonstrative by nature, and it’s her carrying the baby – so they’re in very different places mentally and emotionally, and that creates a
great deal of tension. Fisher doesn’t always get it right, but he’s doing the best he can. 
There’s a great cast of supporting characters in the novel as well. Which character did you most enjoy writing?
Thank you. I loved writing Esther, Fisher’s old-aged neighbour and third-best friend. She’s wise but a little coarse around the edges, and she was great fun to write. I’d love her to live next door to me. But as much as I adore Esther, I love El – Fisher’s best friend since they were something like 11 years old. He’s dying. He has an awful degenerative disease called Huntington’s that is slowly and inescapably undoing him: he’s losing his coherence, acuity, motor control, and tact. It’s tragic, but at the same time, El is an incorrigible bugger. He has a wicked sense of humour, nothing is sacred and he loves to tease Fisher. He’s frightened about his future, he knows there is only one way his illness is going, and yet he clings to his sense of humour. He’s brave, tragic, comic and he pretty much steals every scene I’ve put him in.
Did you do any particular research for parts of the book?
I did. I talked to a film director, a midwife, an expert in Huntington’s disease and (Ivy’s job) a make-up artist. I’ve always dreaded research – I just like to sit down and make stuff up – but people love talking about the things that are important and interesting to them. And all of the people I spoke to were incredibly generous and helpful. And it always yields something unexpected. For example, I never knew that make-up artists were known as ‘the glamour squad’ in the film business. So I took that, made it the name of Ivy’s business and stencilled it across the side of her van. It’s a small thing, but it adds authenticity and flavour.
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you perhaps already working on a next novel?
You bet I am. I’m working on a new novel right now. I’m somewhere between (depending on how big the book ends up) a third and a half of the way through the first draft. This one is a two-header – meaning it’s told through the eyes of two different characters. So I’m enjoying pretending to be a twenty-nine-old woman for a few hours a week. It’s a free country, after all.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I feel like a bit of a charlatan doling out advice, but, as you asked. Here are a couple of things that have helped me: Write often. I’m not going to say write everyday, because that’s not practical for everybody. But write at least twice a week; any less and it’s hard to stay immersed in the story and I think it shows in the final product. Find a routine that works for you, make time, and then protect it fiercely. 
Don’t write for anyone except yourself. You can’t second-guess trends, publishers, the market. The biggest asset you have is you – there is no one like you, no one who has the particular cocktail of experiences, opinions anxieties and passions that you have. If you can channel that uniqueness into your writing, then your work will be distinctive. And no matter the trends, readers and editor are always looking for something fresh. Besides, if you write what you love, you’ll have more fun while you’re doing it.
Oh, and get a copy of 'On Writing' by Stephen King. Read it and read it again.
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others?
'Oryx and Crake' by Margaret Atwood. It’s original, inventive, wonderful writing, amusing and shocking. I was only a few chapters in when gave in to the urge to tweet the author, telling her how much fun I imagined the book had been to write. She replied along the lines that, yes, it was fun but in a grim kind of way. Approximately another 100 pages in, I realised what she meant and felt a bit of
a buffoon for describing her book as ‘fun’. But that’s kind of the book’s and Margaret Atwood’s power – you’re drawn in by the novelty and levity of the world she has created and then the backstory begins to bleed through and … well, there’s nothing ‘fun’ about it. Great book. 
Which book could you not live without?
I tend not to re-read books. So anything I’ve read once, I can live without. But I’d go crazy of I didn’t have a novel to lose myself in. So no one book, just the one I’m currently reading. If you’re asking my favourite book, then, depending on the day and my mood, it could be The Princess Bride, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Lullaby, The Book of Illusions, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, The Book Thief, Cloud Atlas, A Clockwork Orange, Of Mice and Men … Ha! The list goes on.
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘The Two of Us’ in just three words, which words would you pick?
My debut novel.
Thanks so much, Andy!

Review & Interview: 'The Saffron Trail' by Rosanna Ley (2015)

Once, there was a girl who loved saffron. She loved its secrets, its mystery, and best of all, she loved its hint of magic.
After the death of her beloved mother, Nell travels from rural Cornwall to the colour and chaos of Marrakech. Her marriage may be on the rocks, but exploring the heady delights of Moroccan cuisine could help her fulfil her dream of opening her own restaurant.
It's there she meets Amy - a young photographer trying to unravel the story behind her family's involvement in the Vietnam War. The two women develop a close friendship and discover a surprising connection between their own pasts.
This connection will take Nell and Amy on a journey to find their own 'saffron trail' - from the labyrinthine medina and bustle of Moroccan bazaars all the way back home to Cornwall and to the heart of their families' origins.
Rosanna Ley's newest novel 'The Saffron Trail' will be released on the 21st of May by Quercus and I must say it is a release which I have been quite excited about the past couple of weeks! Not too long ago I was contacted about 'The Saffron Trail' and I straight away loved both the cover (it's just stunning!) and the description of the story. I hadn't read any of Rosanna Ley's other novels and definitely looked forward to checking out her work. I was also lucky enough to get the chance to do an author Q&A with Rosanna herself, so be sure to scroll down to read her answers! 
Nell is still trying to come to terms with her mother's unexpected death a few months ago and her husband Callum doesn't seem to understand how difficult it is for her to say goodbye to her childhood home. When he surprises her with a birthday cookery course trip to Morocco, Nell isn't too sure at first but then decides the trip might help her with answering some questions about her mother. Photographer Amy also finds herself going to Morocco to take photos for an upcoming event at the Lyme Regis gallery she works at. She also wants to use the trip to Morocco to hopefully discover more about the disappearance of her beloved great-aunt's son Glenn. When Nell and Amy meet, they immediately hit it off and become friends. Morocco has a lot to offer the two women, but will it bring them the answers they are both looking for?
I was not familiar with author Rosanna Ley or her books before I got the chance to read 'The Saffron Trail', but I'm really glad I was introduced to her work because I really enjoyed this novel. The book focuses on several different storylines which were all interesting and captivating in their own way. There's Nell who is struggling in her marriage with her husband Callum and still has lots of questions about her recently deceased mother; Amy is trying to find a good balance between her work and private life, which is only made even trickier when a handsome stranger steps into it; and we meet Amy's great-aunt Lillian, who has been through a lot in her life and Amy wants to help her find some closure. I straight away warmed to the different characters and their stories and loved reading about them and seeing how it would all turn out.
The book offers a lot of information on and descriptions of Morocco and specifically its cuisine. This, on the one hand, really helped to set the scene and created a specific atmosphere, but some of the descriptions were quite lengthy and a bit repetitive. The book is also quite long (over 500 pages) and I think this could have been less by getting rid of some of these lengthy descriptive paragraphs. The book included quite a few twists which I did not see coming, which only made it even more of an enjoyable read which I didn't want to put down. I have high hopes for Rosanna Ley's other novels and can't wait to pick up another one of her works in the future. 'The Saffron Trail' is a truly captivating and well-written novel which I enjoyed from start to finish; a great read!

Rating:9/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Author interview with Rosanna Ley!
I'm really excited to have had the chance to ask Rosanna Ley some questions about her newest release 'The Saffron Trail', which you can find below. Thanks so much, Rosanna, for being willing to take part in this short interview! :)

Can you tell us something about your new novel, ‘The Saffron Trail’? The main characters in the novel are Nell and Amy who meet in one of those perfect and tranquil riads in Marrakech. Nell is learning about Moroccan cuisine and Amy is a photographer. They become friends and the novel follows their journey as they try to untangle their lives and their relationships and as they attempt to uncover the mysteries and strangely connected secrets of their pasts. In order to do this they travel to Essaouira, to a saffron farm in the foothills of the Atlas mountains and then back to Roseland in Cornwall and Lyme Regis in Dorset. At the heart of the mystery and of the story are the threads of red gold which are saffron...
Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? Is it in any way based on your own experiences? The first inspiration came from saffron itself – from wanting to find out about how it is grown, how it has been used over the centuries, why it is such a ‘secret spice’ and why it is so much more expensive than gold... I visited Morocco because it is one of the best producers of saffron and realized that the labrynthine nature of the medina leading to the heart of the riad, echoed the tangled relationships and inner truths that I wanted to write about. And no, it’s not based on any of my own experiences, apart from things that happened while I was actually there in Morocco, researching the novel. For example, we were taken into the Jewish quarter in much the same way as Nell, with very similar results!
Can you tell us a bit more about the main characters, Amy and Nell? Nell is a girl who loves saffron. She has always been very close to her mother and when her mother dies at the start of the novel, she feels incredibly lost and alone, which adds to the pressure on her marriage. Her ambition is to open her own restaurant and she would love to find out all the secrets that her mother has kept from her over the years and which she fears may now be lost to her. Amy seems fearless and independent to Nell, but in fact she too has her own vulnerabilities and is finding it hard to build confidence in her work as a photographer and to trust a man. Amy’s mother is busy and doesn’t realize how much Amy needs her time and attention; as a result Amy has grown very close to her great aunt Lillian. When Jake Tarrant visits the gallery where Amy works in Lyme, sparks fly...
There’s a great cast of supporting characters in the novel as well. Which character did you most enjoy writing? I enjoyed them all in different ways. Lillian was great because she has such a deep history and so much has happened to her; she has suffered a great loss but is a survivor. Glenn was interesting because of his views and the decisions he made and because it allowed me to write a bit about the Vietnam war. But I think my favourite was Amy – she just flowed!
Did you do any particular research for parts of the book? Lots! Places obviously – Marrakech, Essaouira, the Saffron Farm and waterfalls in the Atlas mountains, Roseland in Cornwall. The hippie trail and where people went at this time in the late sixties. The history of the Vietnam war. Moroccan design and cuisine. Bridport and the GIs during the second world war. And saffron.
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you perhaps already working on a next novel? Yes! I am writing a novel set in Cuba and Bristol, working title ‘The Last Rumba’. One of the themes is power in relationships and how it can be used and abused. One of my characters is a magician and I have fallen ridiculously in love with him...
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Don’t be in a hurry. Take time to read, think, dream, plot, plan. Write not what you know but what you want to explore. Let the idea for your story compost. Create a space for it. Then write (every day if possible) as spontaneously as you can. Edit ruthlessly. Never give up.
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others? ‘We are all totally beside ourselves’ by Karen Joy Fowler. Cleverly structured, well written and thought provoking.
Which book could you not live without? A book of poetry by John Donne (but these days it is mostly in my head).
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘The Saffron Trail’ in just three words, which words would you pick? Lost and Found.

Review & Interview: 'Chasing Athens' by Marissa Tejada (2014)

In Athens, Greece where rich culture and a crippling crisis collide, a heartbroken American ex-pat is inspired to stay after her new husband literally walks out on her. That abrupt decision leads her to through a humorous, touching and cultural journey that forces her confront her disappointing past and redefine the true meaning of home.
When Ava Martin’s new husband unexpectedly ditches her months after they’ve relocated across the world to Greece, the heartbroken American ex-pat isn’t sure where home is anymore. On the verge of flying back to the States with her tail between her legs, she makes an abrupt decision to follow her gut instead and stay on in Greece. She soon discovers that the tumultuous, culture-rich Mediterranean country is coloring her life in a way no place else can, changing her forever. But is it where she belongs?
Ava’s newfound independence throws her into the thick of Athenian reality, where she has brushes with violent police riots and gets a taste of both the alluring islands and the city nightlife. Despite pressure from her mother, uncertainty over her impending divorce, and unresolved issues with her long-estranged father weighing on her, she’s determined to make it on her own. With the help of two very colorful Greek friends, she laughs and learns while facing culture shock, language barriers and the charm of Mediterranean men, until a life-threatening medical emergency back home in sleepy Ithaca, N.Y., forces her to decide where she truly belongs—and what truly matters.
If you ask me, one of the best things about books is that they offer readers the chance to travel to places they might never get to visit in real life. I've been to amazing locations such as New York, Hawaii, Hogwarts, Rome... All thanks to some fabulous authors who managed to have these places come alive on paper. When I was contacted by author Marissa Tejada about possibly reviewing her novel 'Chasing Athens', which was released by Musa Publishing in April 2014, I straight away looked forward to picking up this read. Not just because it promised to be a fun chick lit read, but also because of its scene setting: Athens. I've never been to Greece, so I was excited to travel into the world of main character Ava and give the novel a chance! I'm also excited to welcome Marissa Tejada to the blog today for an author Q&A, so be sure to scroll down!
Thirty-year-old Ava Martin has left her family, job, and friends behind in New York to start a new life with her husband Greg in Athens, Greece. She tries her best to learn the language and to make new friends, but then Ava's life is suddenly turned upside down again when her husband announces he wants a divorce and leaves her all alone in Athens. Ava isn't sure what to do, should she head back home to New York and try to pick up her old life, or should she give Athens a chance and build a new life, focusing on just herself and what she wants for a change?
I really enjoyed reading 'Chasing Athens' since it has all the necessary elements for an entertaining women's fiction read: a protagonist readers will be able to relate to, a fun group of secondary characters, a captivating storyline and, always a nice extra, a great scene setting. The book is set in Athens, and it is obvious from the detailed descriptions and authentic feel that the author is familiar with the city herself. I've personally never been to Athens, but could easily imagine myself walking down the streets, tasting the Greek atmosphere, and this really added something to the reading experience as a whole. 
Ava is an interesting protagonist and I'm sure numerous readers will be able to relate to her in one way or another. She's dealing with a divorce/break-up and trying to find her own way in a strange city. She's on this emotional rollercoaster and she not only gets to discover Athens, but she also goes on a journey of self-discovery, trying to see what she wants from life. The book also includes a fun cast of secondary characters, including Ava's Greek friends Nikos and Eleni. As mentioned before, this book basically has everything for it to be a thoroughly enjoyable read and I look forward to hopefully picking up more of Marissa Tejeda's books in the future!

Rating:8,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Author interview with Marissa Tejada!
I'm really excited to share my author interview with Marissa Tejada, author of 'Chasing Athens', with all of you today! :)

Can you tell us something about your novel, ‘Chasing Athens’? Here’s a little synopsis:
In Athens, Greece where rich culture and a crippling crisis collide, a heartbroken American expat is inspired to stay after her new husband literally walks out on her. That abrupt decision leads her through a humorous, touching and cultural journey that forces her confront her disappointing past and redefine the true meaning of home.
Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? Is it in any way based on your own experiences? From my first year living abroad as an expat, I knew I wanted to write something about my experiences.  I love romantic comedies and women’s fiction so it was natural for me to write within those genres.  I found out quickly that Greece is a place of beauty within its culture, people, destinations and traditions. However, not every Greek moment is perfect and I wanted to portray that too. It’s a time of crisis, uncertainty and desperation. As a woman living abroad, all of these extremes pull together creating an experience that I has made me who I am today and influenced me to write Chasing Athens.
As for my own experiences, I had to make the tough decision whether or not I should stay on in Greece. I had a marriage that fell apart while I was living abroad and while I was planning on going back to the U.S., a big part of me was telling me to stay in Europe --although many factors were influencing me otherwise.  I think that feeling of belonging to a place can be an unexpected surprise.  When we live abroad, out of comfort zones, we learn so many things about ourselves that would have never been uncovered. 
Can you tell us a bit more about the main character, Ava? Ava was sheltered much of her life with a lot of family drama surrounding her upbringing so she had a lot to learn from the start of the book where she found herself suddenly as a newly and fully independent women living abroad.  She learns to rely on people that care for her and that opens up a whole new world and helps her to move on and figure out the life that she wants to lead.  She has her insecurities and not “seeing the reality” of a situation gets her in trouble.  However, she’s open-minded and fun.
Can you also tell us a bit more about the cast of supporting characters in the novel? Which character did you most enjoy writing? Ava has two best friends named Nikos and Eleni who help her through her crisis and show her the ups and downs of Greece through their eyes as Athenians.  I really loved writing Nikos and Eleni into the story.  Nikos is a great guy best friend. Eleni, to me, is the strong Greek woman personality that does not take no for an answer.  She is actually based on a friend of mine.  Her “gusto” gives some scenes a lot of color. 
Did you do any particular research for parts of the book? I did do some research on Mexican culture since Ava’s heritage is part Mexican.  I also had to rely on my Greek friends to help me with the Greek phrases and expressions I used.  I wanted it to be as authentic as possible. I suppose traveling to some of the places mentioned in the book like Hydra island, Mykonos island and destinations in Athens would be considered research too!  
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you perhaps already working on a next novel? I am working on a continuation of Chasing Athens.  I’d love to complete Ava’s expat journey.  I love that readers have told me that they would love to know what happens next too.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I’ve come to relish a piece of advice from writers much more experienced than me when it comes to getting published: set realistic goals and expectations for your book to define what success means for your book. Every writer has a different story, different goals and dreams when it comes to setting their first book out into the world.  Define those goals and don’t compare them with anyone else’s. Your goals are your own and can only be defined by you.
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others? I really enjoyed reading Romancing Miss Bronte by Juliet Gael. I don’t read much historical women’s fiction but this one drew me in completely and I learned so much about Charlotte Bronte’s amazing life as a woman author during her time.
Which book could you not live without? Ah, so many! If I had to choose one I’d have to say The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. I love his writing and this novel in particular is an absolute favorite of mine.
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘Chasing Athens’ in just three words, which words would you pick? Humor. Culture. Self-Discovery.

Thanks so much, Marissa!

Review & Interview: 'The New Mrs. D' by Heather Hill (2014)

Four days into their honeymoon in Greece, Bernice and David Dando have yet to consummate their marriage and after having accepted his almost non-existent desire for sex throughout the relationship, Bernice finally discovers the reason; he is addicted to porn. Learning that the love of her life chooses the cheap thrill of fantasy over her is devastating but then, 'every man does it; it’s just looking, right?’ If she leaves the relationship because of virtual adultery, will she be labelled as pathological, overreacting, or even worse, frigid? 
When funny, feisty, forty-something Bernice plans the adventure trip of a lifetime, she doesn’t expect to be spending it alone. But as it turns out, unintentionally contributing to a Greek fish explosion, nude karaoke and hilarious misadventures with volcanoes are exactly what she needs to stop fretting about errant husbands and really start living. But when Mr D tries to win her back, Bernice has a decision to make: is this a holiday from her humdrum life, or the start of a whole new adventure?
Another day, another book review! Several months ago I was contacted by author Heather Hill with the request of whether I'd be interested in reading and reviewing her novel 'The New Mrs. D.' It took a bit of time before I found a review copy of the book on my doorstep (especially since another copy went missing in the post), but a few weeks ago I received the book and looked forward to checking it out and finding out more about main character Bernice! Below you can find my review of the book and I also got the chance to ask Heather Hill some questions about 'The New Mrs. D', her own favourite books and her future plans as an author. So be sure to scroll down to read more!
Forty-year-old Bernice Dando has finally tied the knot with her boyfriend of six years, David, and they are in beautiful and sunny Greece to enjoy their honeymoon. However, Bernice is getting a bit worried because the two of them haven't consummated their marriage yet, and it doesn't take long before Bernice's fears are confirmed. She knew about David's porn addiction and was willing to give him another chance, but only four days into their marriage Bernice realises David isn't even trying to overcome his addiction and she knows she will probably be better off without him. Instead of a romantic honeymoon, Bernice decides to turn the trip into her own adventure, and she quickly finds a group of new friends to join her. But what happens when David comes back onto the scene, begging Bernice to take him back and giving their marriage another chance? Will Bernice give it another go and go back to her old life, or is it really time for something new?
'The New Mrs. D' is quite a quick read with just over 250 pages and one that's great for a day at the beach or when you're looking for a few hours to get your mind of things. Heather Hill really has her own distinctive writing style which is filled with humour and fits the story well. It took me a bit of time to get into, but main character Bernice's antics definitely had me laughing out loud and shaking my head. Bernice, also known as Binnie, has to deal with quite a serious topic; a husband who has a porn addiction, something that has also really affected her own body image. Heather Hill approaches these topics with a good dose of both realism and humour, which is something that can definitely inspire readers. 
Bernice is a unique character; her energy and humour are great and I admired her and the journey she goes on throughout the novel. She goes on all kinds of crazy adventures with her new group of friends, which form a fascinating collection of secondary characters and really add a fun touch to the story. Personally, I do think the novel was a bit too much on the funny side; I would have really liked to have seen a bit more of an emotional side to Bernice and getting to know her a bit better as the main character. However, I am positive other readers will appreciate this fact and thoroughly enjoy the high dose of humour. Overall, 'The New Mrs. D' is a witty and entertaining read with a collection of colourful characters at its core; a novel to pick up when you're looking for an escapist read and a laugh!

Rating:7,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Author interview with Heather Hill
I'm really excited to welcome Heather Hill to the blog today for an author interview. Be sure to check out her answers below!

Can you tell us something about your novel, ‘The New Mrs. D.’? It is the story of a woman who takes a second chance on love in later life by marrying the man of her dreams, only to discover he has an unhealthy addiction to porn. Not in that he just uses it, but that he has been using it in place of making love to her.  And the saddest part is it has taken her so long to recognise the damage his addiction has been causing the relationship that she only learns the true extent of it while on honeymoon. So, she sends him packing while deciding if this is a serious enough issue to call off the marriage; embarking on the rest of the adventure laden honeymoon alone. 
It’s a sad, hilarious and empowering romp that delves into subjects that are not often spoken about, and follows the woman’s midlife, personal awakening whilst alone on a stunning island in Greece.
Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? Is it in any way based on your own experiences? I was actually at the airport after a holiday in Greece, waiting to go home, when the idea came to me to write the story of a woman who ends up on an adventure honeymoon alone. I wrote an overview for the book on the plane and while thinking about the reasons for such a sudden spilt, decided there and then to tackle this quite modern issue – I say modern because I believe that porn use is escalating now that modern technology makes everything sordid easier to access than ever before. I didn’t set out to attack the porn industry, or try to say that it was wrong. I set out to tackle the deeper issue from continued use, when viewing porn becomes such a problem that it affects a man’s libido and, ultimately, his desire for sex with his wife/partner.
Can you tell us a bit more about the main character, Bernice? For sure! Bernice is quite a complex character who has been a bit of a victim for most of her life, from living under the cloud of life with a narcissistic mother, to having her first marriage collapse due to her husband’s infidelity and finally, all too quickly agreeing to marry a man she knew had issues in the hope that she could change him. It seems incredulous to many people that this could happen, a woman actually going through with a marriage when her head is full of doubts. However, my extensive research has taught me that it does and much more often than you might think.  Bernice is by no means unintelligent, but has many complex co-dependency issues as a result of her life experience so far.  On the lighter side, she is also kind, funny, accident-prone and getting in to a mountain of weird, wonderful and hilarious situations whilst holidaying alone which makes for a series of madcap adventures throughout the book.
Can you also tell us a bit more about the cast of supporting characters in the novel? Which character did you most enjoy writing? Bernice makes friends with some of the other people who are booked on a series of tour experiences on the island. We have an American teacher, Linda, who has come to the island to meet her girlfriend that she met online. The girlfriend has in tow a troupe of hilarious and lovely gay exotic dancers whom she has brought to the island as their manager, to do some shows. Then we have the painter, Chris, who is a friend of her husband’s and whose apartment she is staying in. There is also a couple from Sweden and one from Scotland. Without a shadow of a doubt, my favourite character is a kindly and hilarious little old Scottish lady from this couple named Greta. I completely love her and no, she isn’t based on anybody I know. But when I picture her, she looks exactly like Mrs Pepperpot from the children’s books! I don’t want to spoil things by giving away too much about Greta, but she is a very lovely and funny lady with an empowering and inspirational story all of her own.
Did you do any particular research for parts of the book? I researched pretty much all of it, believe it or not. The story follows a series of adventure experiences and I even went out to do a couple of them myself; attending an art class near my hometown in Glasgow and some kayaking. I also spoke with several volcanology professors here and in the USA about the conditions required for a fake volcanic eruption. This part makes me smile because a couple of people found that part a bit far-fetched but they’d be surprised to know it was gleaned from a series of actual events! I also spoke to a chemistry professor and a company that sells pelvic toners! Enough said there…
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you perhaps already working on a next novel? I am writing a second comedy novel at the moment about three fairly mature widows that find friendship in an online forum, although progress has slowed whilst trying to publicise Mrs D as much as possible but I hope to have this out, at least in an ebook, by the summer this year. To describe it in short, I’d call it ‘a tale of grief, loss and accidental kidnapping’. 
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I have said this a lot in interviews, but I really hate the term ‘aspiring’ writers. If you are committed to writing something the length of a novel then you’re already a writer. The best thing you can do for yourself from the off is stop being so afraid to call yourself a writer. The day I finally said this to myself was the day I pushed onwards with my writing for real, knowing I would never stop even in the event that no one ever bought a word of what I wrote. Not being able to sell what you’ve written so far doesn’t detract from the amazing fact that you did it! You don’t need anyone’s permission to call yourself a writer. Believe it, say it boldly out loud and you’ll become a writer. Don’t let your head get hung up on not being as good as somebody else or that your first novel draft isn’t perfect. Of course it isn’t! Nobody’s is. The magic happens in the rewrites. Keep going!
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others? ‘A Mother’s Story’ by the lovely Amanda Prowse. Amanda writes with such heart I find her work incredible – it resonates inside of you; especially if you’re a sensitive soul like me. She really writes emotion well. Her books always have me in tears at some point and I often tweet her telling her off for doing this to me again, but I always go back for more.
Which book could you not live without? All of them! Imagine a life without books? I had a dear, now sadly departed TV comedy writer friend who used to tell me he never trusted anyone that didn’t have books in the house and I agree with him. I’m often asked for my favourites and I genuinely find it hard to commit to naming one. For what seems like my entire life I’ve been the kind of person who wanders off in to a bookshop and doesn’t come out again for hours.
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘The New Mrs. D.’ in just three words, which words would you pick? Hilarious, empowering, and silly.  NB Dear world full of serious people, it’s actually okay to be silly sometimes…
Thanks so much, Heather!