To Bed a Beauty by Nicole Jordan

Clever and charming Roslyn Loring, the middle child of three beautiful, independent sisters, knows true happiness lies in a marriage of the heart – and she has her heart set on a love match with a neighbouring earl. Yet her sharp mind has observed an undeniable truth:  Gentlemen lavish passion on their mistresses, not their wives. Roslyn realises that to win her future husband’s devotion, she must learn the secrets of kindling a gentlemen’s ardour. Fortunately, she finds a willing tutor in Drew Moncrief, the Duke of Arden, a notorious rake whispered to be London’s most magnificent lover. If his searing kisses are any indication, the Duke is the ideal man to teach Roslyn how to be the perfect mistress. Drew begins schooling Roslyn while coolly guarding his heart. But as best laid plans are thwarted by unexpected events- industry a night of unforgettable passion- Roslyn and her wickedly arousing tutor discover how easily lessons in pleasure can become lessons in love. 

I so enjoyed reading this book. It’s engaging, easy to read and perfect for a holiday read. I love everything about it, the story and the characters. Nicole Jordan is an amazing writer and one of my favourites. I loved reading this. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it. 

Links to book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?k=to+bed+a+beauty+nicole+jordan

https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=To+bed+a+beauty+&search=Find+book

http://www.easons.com/p-426848-to-bed-a-beauty.aspx

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Sephy is a Cross- a member of the dark skinned ruling class. Callum is a Nought- a colourless member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood, but that’s as far as it can as it can go. In their world, Noughts and Crosses simply don’t mix. Against a background of prejudice and distrust, instensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum- a romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger. Can they possibly find a way to be together?

I so enjoyed reading this book. It’s an interesting take on race and is really well written. This is the book that made me realise that plasters don’t cater to darker skin tones. Which seems a little odd, I know but I never considered before the implication of that. Plasters are carter for white skinned people and it seems a little unfair. Which is the best thing about any book, one which makes you think. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it. 

Links to book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_1_19?k=noughts+and+crosses+book&sprefix=noughts+and+crosses

https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=noughts%20and%20crosses%20malorie%20blackman&search=Find+book

http://www.easons.com/search/go#w=noughts%20and%20crosses

A Book Challenge

So I had a bit of a challenge in work one day. A customer came up looking for some books for a friend of hers who was in his sixties and had depression.

This was a bit of a challenge because I don’t have depression and I’m not a sixty year old man. (Not there is anything wrong with either)

So I went to a colleague and together we were able to give her something. We went with the Ross O’Carroll Kelly series. One of the handy things about this series is that you could just jump in at any time and just start reading.

Another one that we went for was Superchick. Which is a really good book. It’s also a bit of an unusual one in that it’s a love story written from a guys point of view. It’s about this guy who meets this girl in a bar but when he calls her the next day, he realises that he’s lost his phone. So he writes this song in order to find her. It’s so good, funny and well written. We thought it might help cheer him up.

I don’t remember if we recommended this one, but another good one would Discworld by Terry Prachett. It’s an amazing series that has a great way of looking at things. It would be a great way of getting someone with depression to look at things different.

Another one that would be good would be Agatha Christie. I know crime seems a bit of an unusual one, but the way Agatha Christie writes is good in that it is written in such a way that it makes you see there is goodness in people despite the evil in the world.

I don’t remember if we recommended anything else, because it was a bit of a tough one. (She went with Ross O’Carroll Kelly in the end). The thing I will say about this is that even if you are going through a tough time or you believe that you feel that you don’t want to live, tell someone. Just tell someone. There is always someone you can talk to. It will always be ok.

If there is anything you can think of let me know in the comments.

To Pleasure a Lady by Nicole Jordan

Marcus Pierce, a strikingly handsome aristocrat with a wicked reputation, inherits guardianship of Arabella Loring and her two younger sisters- and immediately declares his intention to marry them off. But enchantingly defiant Arabella sparks frustration- and something more ercotic- in Marcus. After matching wits and swords with her, the possessive nobleman concludes that this formidable foe must be his. Having sworn off men, Arabella wishes to be left alone to run her finishing school for young ladies. To that end, she boldly accepts Marcus’s intimate challenge: if he can woo and win her in two weeks, she’ll take her place as his wife. However, if she resists his considerable charms the Loring sisters will be given their independence. Thus an extraordinary game of seduction begins. 

Nicole Jordan is an amazing writer, who creates characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. Marcus and Arabella are brilliant characters and I love their story. It is engaging and so easy to read. It would be perfect for a holiday read. Or sitting in front of a fire with some tea. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it. 

Links to book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?k=to+pleasure+a+lady+nicole+jordan

https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=to%20pleasure%20a%20lady&search=Find+book

The Return of The King by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures as the quest continues. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard, and took part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by Orcs, escaped into Fangorn Forest and there encountered the Ents. Gandalf returned, miraculously, and defeated the evil wizard Saruman. Mean, Sam and Frodo progressed towards Mordor to destroy the Ring, accompanied by SmEagol- Gollum, still obsessed by his ‘precious’. After a battle with the giant spider, Shelob, Sam left his master for dead; but Frodo is still alive- in the hands of the Orcs. And all the time the armies of the Dark Lord are massing. 

This is a brilliant conclusion to the series. J. R. R. Tolkien is a master at what he does. The characters are amazing, as is the story. It is a great story and one that everyone should read. I have to admit at times the descriptions do get you down a little, but apart from that it is worth reading. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it. 

Links to book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_2_18?k=the+return+of+the+king&sprefix=the+return+of+the+

https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Return-of-the-King-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780261102378?ref=grid-view&qid=1501182135778&sr=1-1

http://www.easons.com/search/go#w=The%20return%20of%20the%20king

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Fellowship was scattered. Some were bracing hopelessly for was against the ancient evil of Sauron. Some were contending with the treachery of the wizard Saruman. Only Frodo and San were left to take the accursed Ring of Power to be destroyed in Mordor – the dark Kingdom where Sauron was supreme. Their guide was Gollum, deceitful and lust filled, slave to the corruption of the Ring. 

This is such a good book. It’s a great continuation of the story. You really get to know more of the characters. The story gets better. The writing style is still a bit formal, but it’s worth reading. It is an enjoyable read and one of those books that everyone should read, at least once in their life. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it.

Links to book:

https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=the%20two%20towers&search=Find+book

http://www.easons.com/search/go#w=The%20two%20towers

The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One ring to bring and in the darkness bind them. In ancient times, the Rings of Power were crafted by Elven smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle Earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell into the hands of Biblo Baggins. In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and a perilous journey across Middle earth to the Crackd of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose. 

This is such a good book. I have to admit it does take a little getting used to as it was written in the 40s. As a result, the language is different. Having said that, it is one of those books that everyone should read. I love the story and the characters. This really sets up the story for things to come. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it. 

Links to book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_1_7?k=the+fellowship+of+the+ring+book&sprefix=the+fel

https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=the%20fellowship%20of%20the%20ring&search=Find+book

http://www.easons.com/search/go#w=The%20fellowship%20of%20the%20rings

How To Be Single by Liz Tuccillo

It’s the most annoying question and they just can’t help asking you: Why are you single? On a brisk October morning in New York, Juile Jenson, a single thirty eight year book publicist, gets a hysterical phone call from her friend Georgia. Reeling from her husband’s announcement that he is leaving her for a samba teacher, Georgia convinces a reluctant Juile to organise a fun girls night out with all of their friends to remind her why it is so much fun not Robbie tied down. But the night becomes a a wake up call for Juile because none of her friends seen to be having much fun: Alice, a former legal aid attorney has recently quit her job to start dating for a living; Serena, who is so busy becoming a fully realised person that she can’t find time to look for a mate; and Ruby, a curvy and compassionate woman, has been mourning the death of her cat for months. Fed up being single in Manhattan, Juile sets off to find out how women around the world deal with this dreaded phenomenon. From Paris to Rio to Sydney, Bali, Beijing, Mumbai and Reykjavik, Juile falls in love, gets her heart broken, sees the world and learned more than she ever dreamed possible. 

This is an interesting book. Liz Tuccillo is a great writer. My only complaint is that it seems that it makes it seem that being single is the worst thing ever but so long as you love yourself it’s ok. Having said that, it is interesting how different countries see single men and women. One of the things that I like about it is that despite the fact that Alice, Serena and Ruby don’t each other (they all know Juile) they do come together to help each other out. Which is kinda nice. I did enjoy reading it as it’s an interesting take on being single. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it. 

Links to book:

https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=how%20to%20be%20single%20liz%20tuccillo&search=Find+book

http://www.easons.com/search/go#w=How%20to%20be%20single

Bound by Benedict Jacka

Alex Verus can see the future. But he never thought he’d see this day. Manoeuvred by forces beyond his control, the probability mage has made a terrible choice: he’s agreed to work for his old master once more. Richard Drakh, the sadistic dark Mage Alex escaped as an apprentice, has him in his clutches again. And this time, Richard won’t let go so easily. 

I love that there another Alex Verus book. This is such a good book. My only complaint is that it kinda feels like a fuller story. If that makes sense. I guess it’s because it’s so spread out. Apart from that it is a real treat to read. It is well written and engaging. Benedict Jacka is an amazing writer and is one of my favourite writers. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it. 

Links to book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_2_7?k=bound+alex+verus&sprefix=bound+a

https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=bound%20alex%20verus&search=Find+book

http://www.easons.com/p-4696450-bound.aspx

Bookmarks

I’m curious, what does everyone use as a bookmark? Is it a piece of paper, a receipt or an actual bookmark?

Or are you one of those monsters that bend the page? 

I have a lovely bookmark that I use. 

Isn’t it pretty?

I got it in Hodges Figgis for like €2 and I love it. 

One of the handy things about bookmarks is that they can be anything. Receipts, placemats, a scrap of paper or even an envelope. 

I’ve heard of people using money, old photos and even some toilet paper. It’s funny the things people use. 

Let me know what you have used in the comments. I’d love to see them.