Friday 28 March 2014

Time Will Tell by Fiona McCallum

Title: Time Will Tell
Author: Fiona McCallum
ISBN: 9781743565308
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Publish Date: April 2014

Synopsis:

Emily Oliphant has made some major changes in her life. After leaving an abusive husband, moving house and starting her own jam-making business, things are looking up. But the last thing on Emily’s mind is a new relationship...no matter who’s vying for her attention.

After receiving an offer from the elderly owners of the property she’s renting to purchase the land and house, a hopeful yet nervous Emily feels herself taking another step in the right direction. She’s unsure where the money will come from, but the offer is too good to refuse, and the property too perfectly suited for the B&B she dreams of opening. Unbeknown to her, the button jar Emily holds dear — a gift from her recently deceased Granny Mayfair — could contain the solution to all her problems...


Just when things are finally beginning to go Emily’s way, everything takes a turn. Soon she’s involved in a romance she’s not sure she’s ready for, dealing with the shock of three unexpected deaths, and being forced to make some difficult decisions. With her finances, property, friendships and budding relationship now in limbo, Emily is once again drawing on her inner-strength to overcome this new set of challenges.

My Thoughts:

Time Will Tell is the perfect continuation of Fiona McCallum's 'The Button Jar' series. Emily is a strong willed character and despite being unsure of some of her choices she has the strength and courage to stand up for herself and fight to overcome the challenges that life throws her way.
Time Will Tell captured my heart with it's lovely country setting and heart warming relationships between the characters. It was hard to put down and I can't wait for the next book!

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

Friday 21 March 2014

Books Recommended To Me #1

Working at a bookshop involves recommending books to many different people but occasionally the customers come in and recommend books to me. I love it when this happens. I love that someone has enjoyed a book so much that they come back into the bookstore just to let us know.
Sometimes they recommend books I have read or are on my TBR list and sometimes they are books that I have never even considered picking up and are completely out of my comfort zone. It has really helped me broaden my 'reading horizons' as well helping me become a better bookseller as I can recommend on a broader range of genres when the opportunity presents itself.
So I would like to say a big thank you to all the readers out there who go into bookstores and libraries and share their reading experiences with the people who work there.  I would also like to share a few of the recommendations that I received this week.


by Veronica Roth
I admitted to someone that I had not yet read this series and was promptly informed that I must read it as soon as possible. I will admit that I have been meaning to read it for a long time, I just haven't gotten around to getting a copy.


by Rainbow Rowell
Recommended by someone who hasn't actually read it yet but we both think it sounds pretty amazing.


by Rainbow Rowell
I am beginning to see a bit of a trend here, this one also sounds amazing.


By Robert Drewe
This one was a little unusual. It was recommended by my boss, she actually found she had two copies so she gave one to me and told me to read it because it was very interesting, so it has joined my TBR pile. 

Which books have been recommended to you lately?


Monday 3 March 2014

The Queens Choice by Cayla Kluver

Title: The Queen's Choice
Author: Cayla Kluver
ISBN: 9781743566169
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Published: January 2014

Synopsis:

Magic was seeping out of me, black and agonizing. I could see it drifting away. The magic that would let me pass the Road to reach home again.

When sixteen-year-old Anya learns that her aunt, Queen of the Faerie Kingdom of Chrior, will soon die, her grief is equalled only by her despair for the future of the kingdom. Her young cousin, Illumina, is unfit to rule, and Anya is determined not to take up the queen's mantle herself.


Convinced that the only solution is to find Prince Zabriel, who long ago disappeared into the human realm of Warckum, and persuade him to take up his rightful crown, Anya journeys into the Warckum Territory to bring him home. But her journey is doomed to be more harrowing than she ever could have imagined.

My Thoughts:

The Queen's Choice is like a long stroll, a fantasy adventure novel that is more about the journey than the destination. It is not jammed packed full of action but instead meanders at a somewhat slow but steady pace introducing the reader to a beautiful world of fairies and magic.
The Queen's Choice is a beautifully written novel with stunning world building and strong, well written characters. It is a lengthy and descriptive read which will not suit all readers as the pacing is slow, sometimes too slow. But I found it to be well worth the extra time it took to read. It really was an enchanting read with an unexpected ending that has left me eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
Thanks to Harlequin Teen Australia for the ARC