Thyme Out by Katie Fforde

Synopsis :

When Perdita Dylan delivers her baby vegetables to a local hotel and finds that her unpredictable ex-husband, Lucas, has taken over the kitchen, she is horrified - particularly when she discovers he's being groomed as the latest celebrity chef and needs her picturesque, if primitive cottage, and her, in supporting roles.

Her life is further complicated when Kitty, her 87-year-old friend, has a stroke. Perdita needs someone to lean on - and Lucas seems so keen to help that she starts to wonder if he's really such a villain. Can she cope with all this alone? Or should she face up to the fact that 'You can't cuddle lettuces'?

This is what I say :

I believe this is the third or forth book by Katie Fforde that I read.  Initially I didn't quite like her titles but after a book or two, it kinda grow on me and while I will not explicitly seek them out, I would not say no either when her titles presented themselves in front of me.

In this case, I exchange this copy with one of mine from the Urban Street Library (refer to my previous post).

It was not too bad.  A chic lite with chef and vegetable gardener as the theme.  I remember one of her other titles that I read had books being the theme.  However, with such characters from most chic lite novels, sometime, I do get exasperate with the characters at times and in this book, it's no different.

I may have reached my limit with Katie's title so I better not tempt fate and better stay away from her titles and thyme myself out for now. 

Book Exchange from Urban Street Library

Remember my post here about the Urban Street Library which made an appearance at one of the malls in town?

Well, I went back about a week later bringing with me some titles that I have read and was happy exchange them for new title.  It was quite difficult to select but in the end I came home with the following titles.

Thyme Out by Katie Fforde.  Read a few of Katie's title.  Didn't like it initially but grew to enjoy what she wrote.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I think I read this title already and actually wanted Inferno but mistakenly thought this was the title I haven't read.  Ah well...maybe will read it again.

A Suggestion of Death by Marianne Wesson. This is a wild card/title. Just to see if it's good.

The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes.  At one time my favourite author.  I still like what she wrote but haven't read any of her titles for quite a while now.

So, technically I didn't purchase any new books for the year yet, other than this one which I am keeping for a forthcoming holiday.

Currently reading Thyme Out by Katie Fforde and will be sharing with you what I think of it in the next post.

Tribute to May 2018

image taken from web. credit to the owner

The month of May is a rather special month for my country. Specifically, last week, on 10 May 2018, the people voted in a new government.  It's the first time since the country's independence and to say that it's pretty euphoric would be rather mild.

May is also the month of celebration for mothers so a special shout out to all mum out there. 

May is also when I start the second and final year of what I embarked on last year and it's one of the reason that kept me away from reading but I am enjoying it at the same time.

There's lots to do in May cos June is a month of many festive celebrations and holidays so this month is the month to get as much done as possible too.

So, let's get to work, May :)

Fame by Tilly Bagshawe

Synopsis :

The raw, sexual beauty of Sabrina Leon demands the attention of all who come into contact with her. Plucked from obscurity at the age of 17 she's the new darling of the film scene, bagging lead roles in the hottest blockbusters. But Sabrina Leon has a problem. There's a YouTube sensation that's set to destroy everything she's fought for.

Hotshot movie producer Dorian Rasmirez has struggles of his own.  A bitter feud with rival producer and playboy, Harry Greene, has resulted in the plug being pulled on every project he goes near.  Casting Sabrina Leon in his remake of Wuthering Heights is a risk that might cost him.

Viorel Hudson was always destined for great things.  Now he's scored a role that every A-lister in Hollywood auditioned for - the brooding Heathcliff.  He may be at the height of his career, but is he ready for his latest role... not to mention his latest co-star?

This is what I say :

Fame is more Tilly Bagshawe's identity than any of her Sidney Sheldon's thrillers. Trashy (but in a rather good way) with hints of Jackie Collins but more milder version. Tilly's more controlled and restrained in her descriptive.  Even her villainous characters are pretty mild.  It's like she's trying to play gown up but at the same time tries to restrain herself.

Having said that Fame is an addictive read and while her effort to pair up the characters are rather predictive, it's quite fun to read how she pairs them up.

It's a great book if you want something light, quick like time to kill in between assignments, if you know what I mean..... :)

Jewel by Bret Lott

Synopsis :

In the backwoods of Mississippi, a hand of honeysuckle and grapevine, Jewel and her husband, Leston, are truly blessed; they have five fine children.  When Brenda Kay is born in 1943, Jewel gives thanks for a healthy baby, last-born and most welcome.

Jewel is a story of how quickly a life can change, how, like lightning, an unforeseen event can set us on a course without reason or compass. 

This is what I say :

Jewel is a wonderful tale of total acceptance and love. It's a heartwarming story of a family and sacrifice and how a mother knows that because of one special child, she has to 'give up' her attention and focus on the other children but never giving up the love.

It is also a story on obedience and submission even though a bit unwilling but it was all good at the end.  In a way, I felt the book was a bit too 'smooth' and that the characters were a bit stereotype (in a good way) which made the story a bit mundane here and there but then overall, it was still good.

This is yet another book that I inherited and that I was very much drawn to read and so very glad that I did.  

Sidney Sheldon's Angel of the Dark by Tilly Bagshawe

Synopsis :

When an elderly multimillionaire is found brutally murdered in his Hollywood home, his young wife raped and beaten, and his art and jewels stolen, the motive seems pretty clear.  Ben when the investigation doesn't turn up a single lead, the case is closed and his stunning widow vanishes.

Nearly a decade later, the victim's son, Matt Daley, makes a shocking discovery : three murders identical to his father's have taken place across the globe in recent years.  In each case the widow, the sole beneficiary of the will, donates everything to children's charities.

As the case is reopened and another murder is discovered, Matt becomes besotted with the latest widow until she, too, disappears. It's only a matter of time before the killer strikes again.

This is what I say :

The late Sidney Sheldon is truly a master storyteller and my younger self would read his titles over and over and over again with If Tomorrow Comes being an all time favourite.

Since his death, his estate has allowed Tilly Bagshawe to come out with thriller and sequels under his name.  To me, it's pretty much hits and misses with misses being more prominent and my expectations are never very high.

However, with Angel of The Dark, I think Tilly has nailed it.  I loved this title and read it over one weekend.  Very easy to read, the story just flow and intriguing factor was high.

As reason, you might know storyline and plot in general, it's the little titbits that Tilly added in that made the title worthy of Sidney's name.  I know that certain critics are not very kind and demand closure for this and that and I can only say that if they read it properly, the closure were mentioned.  

And the epilogue - classic!  Some critic says that they hated the book due to the epilogue but to me, that's the cherry on top of the cake.  It spins the ending to a totally new paradigm.

Do give it a try.  I don't mind reading this again in the future when I ran out of reading materials!