Moon Garden by Wendy Mewes

Author: Wendy Mewes
ISBN: 0-9536001-1-4
Genre: Fiction.
Publisher: Red Dog Books


"Moon Garden is a witty and intuitive novel of love, growth and natural magic, the story of one man's struggle to get back on his feet after a string of personal disasters. Amongst other things, Rufus has to cope with a domineering ex-wife, the slipperiest of best friends, a dilapidated cottage bought by mistake and a mad old woman who can read his mind. At least he has a job to go to - but even that turns out to be something quite different to his expectations. As he comes into unwilling contact with the world of witches, Rufus learns that there are many kinds of magic and that love is not always what it seems."

I wanted to read this book a couple of years ago when it was first released. However, when I got this book last week, I was really looking forward to reading it and I have to say, I am so pleased I did.

I found this book to be really enjoyable and fun to read. It was one of those books I found hard to put down. I really liked Rufus and especially Cate. Reading some of the things Rufus got up to made me laugh loads. I loved the descriptions of the surroundings and felt that I was there with them every step of the way. This is such a cozy book, the sort you want to snuggle up with to read, with no interruptions. So I put this put in my Cozy Category along with Joanne Harris & Angela Huth.

Another thing I loved reading in this book was about the pagan way of life, it's so good to read a book that you can relate to and understand. However, there were a couple of characters that made me want to jump in the book and box them, because I became really fond of Rufus hehehe.

My Verdict; A Charming & Cozy Read. I loved it!!!

The Secret of Crickley Hall by James Herbert.

Author: James Herbert
ISBN: 1-4050-0520-3
Genre: Fiction.
Publisher: Macmillan

"The Caleighs have had a terrible year...They need time and space, while they await the news they dread. Gabe has brought his wife, Eve, and daughters, Loren and Cally, down to Devon, to the peaceful seaside village of Hollow Bay. He can work and Eve and the kids can have some peace and quiet and perhaps they can try, as a family, to come to terms with what's happened to them...Crickley Hall is an unusually large house on the outskirts of the village at the bottom of Devil's Cleave, a massive tree-lined gorge - the stuff of local legend. A river flows past the front garden. It's perfect for them...if a bit gloomy. And Chester, their dog, seems really spooked at being away from home. And old houses do make sounds. And it's constantly cold. And even though they shut the cellar door every night, it's always open again in morning..."The Secret of Crickley Hall" is James Herbert's finest novel to date. It explores the darker, more obtuse territories of evil and the supernatural. With brooding menace and rising tension, he masterfully and relentlessly draws the reader through to the ultimate revelation - one that will stay to chill the mind long after the book has been laid aside."


I wanted to read this book after a few people I knew had read it and loved it. So I borrowed it from my sister and was really pleased I had!
For me, so far it has been the best James Herbert book I have read. I found it to go quickly into the story, which for me was really enjoyable. I adored the characters and felt that I was there. I was pretty gripped by this book.
It was pretty scary in places and I wouldn't read in a room on my own, but sometimes I did brave it hehehe.

The book is basically about a family who move into a haunted house, it's haunted by the ghosts of children. I won't say anymore as I don't want to give anything away.

If you're a fan or horror and James Herbert, then I think you'll enjoy this book.

My Verdict: Excellent!

Beloved by Toni Morrison.

Author: Toni Morrison
ISBN: 0-099-27393-4
Genre: Fiction.
Publisher:Vintage

"In the troubled years following the Civil War, the spirit of a murdered child haunts the Ohio home of a former slave. This angry, destructive ghost breaks mirrors, leaves its fingerprints in cake icing, and generally makes life difficult for Sethe and her family; nevertheless, the woman finds the haunting oddly comforting for the spirit is that of her own dead baby, never named, thought of only as Beloved."

I wanted this book after hearing it was one of the top charted books in America. I read the description of the book and it sounded good. I thought I would be getting a bump in the night ghost novel. But this isn't what this book is.

It's a novel about Slavery and what Black people faced and what they went through. The book is about Sethe a woman who murdered her own baby (Beloved) and how she comes back to haunt her. When Paul D (Sethe's friend & partner) comes to stay he frightens the ghost of Beloved away, until one day beloved turns up in the flesh.

This Book was an enjoyable read, at times I did struggle with it a little, but there was always something there that made me want to pick the book up again. I found myself moving fast through it at times and slower at others. I felt that this book wasn't so much about a ghost, but more about love, emotions, feelings and family and the struggle with life.

My Verdict: Enjoyable Read. I would read it again.

Can You Keep a Secret? By Sophie Kinsella.

Author: Sophie Kinsella
ISBN: 0-552-77110-4
Genre: Fiction ~Chick Lit
Publisher: Black Swan.

"Emma is sitting on a turbulent plane. She's always been a v. nervous flyer. She really thinks that this could be her last moment. So, naturally enough, she starts telling the man sitting next to her - quite a dishy American, but she's too frightened to notice -all her innermost secrets. How she scans the backs of intellectual books and pretends she's read them. How she does her hair up like Princess Leia in her bedroom. How she's not sure if she has a G-spot, and whether her boyfriend could find it anyway. How she feels like a fraud at work - everyone uses the word 'operational' all the time but she hasn't a due what it means. How the coffee at work is horrible. How she once threw a troublesome client file in the bin. If ever there was a bare soul, it's hers. She survives the flight, of course, and the next morning the famous founding boss of the whole mega corporation she works for is coming for a look at the UK branch. As he walks around, Emma looks up and realises...It's the man from the plane. What will he do with her secrets? He knows them all - but she doesn't know a single one of his. Or...does she?"


I was looking forward to reading this book, as I loved Sophie's previous Shopaholic series and Undomestic Goddess. So I knew what to expect from this book. Overall I enjoyed this book and it did make me laugh. But, The Undomestic Goddess still remains my favourite book of Sophie's individual novels. Whereas, Shopaholic and a Sister is my favourite from the Shopaholic series.

There is one thing about Sophie's books that I have noticed, imo I sort of feel like in all the books; I'm reading about the same character. They all have great jobs, they're all a bit dizzy and they all find love. This isn't such a bad thing as with Sophie Kinsella you know what to expect, but I would like to see her do something a little bit different next time.

I know she has written other books under the name of Madeleine Wickham, so may be these are a bit different to the books I have read under the name 'Sophie Kinsella'. But atm I'm not in a rush to read them, but will be interested to hear if anyone else has.

My Verdict: Predictable Sophie Kinsella book, but still loads of fun to read!

Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.

Author: Dan Brown
ISBN: 0-552-15073-8
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Corgi

"When a scientist is found brutally murdered, Harvard professor Robert Langdon is asked to identify the mysterious symbol seared onto the dead man's chest. Realising it must be the work of the Illuminati - an ancient secret brotherhood sworn against Catholicism - the race is on to prevent a tragedy."

I had originally read 3/4's of this book at the beginning of last year when I borrowed it from my sister and didn't enjoy it. I had just finished The Da Vinci Code and thought the book was another stab at religion (even though I'm not religious) and also there were more books I was eager to read.

Anyway, my eldest son surprised me on Christmas day with this book, so of course I was going to give it another go. To my surprise I really enjoyed it. It was fast paced and exciting.
I like Robert Langdon's character and will go on to read more of his adventures.

I do think that anyone who is strongly following the catholic faith, may not like this book. They may find it offensive. But, if you take it for what the book is; Fiction then it shouldn't be offensive , but some people may be sensitive towards some of the religious content in this book. However it is fiction and not based on real life.


My Verdict: An exciting read.

Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris.

Author: Joanne Harris
ISBN: 0-552-99883-4
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Black Swan

"The magical new novel from the author of the Number One be Beyond the main street of Les Laveuses runs the Loire, smooth and brown as a sunning snake - but hiding a deadly undertow beneath its moving surface. This is where Framboise, a secretive widow named after a raspberry liqueur, plies her culinary trade at the creperie - and lets memory play strange games. Into this world comes the threat of revelation as Framboise's nephew - a profiteering Parisian - attempts to exploit the growing success of the country recipes she has inherited from her mother, a woman remembered with contempt by the villagers of Les Laveuses. As the spilt blood of a tragic wartime childhood flows again, exposure beckons for Framboise, the widow with an invented past. Joanne Harris has looked behind the drawn shutters of occupied France to illuminate the pain, delight and loss of a life changed for ever by the uncertainties and betrayals of war."

This is my third Joanne Harris novel and like the previous two I have read (Chocolat & Blackberry Wine), I really enjoyed this book. It was different from the two I have read before and I felt this was refreshing.

I was apprehensive about reading this book at first as I had read some mixed reviews about it. Not everyone seems to think this is one of Joanne's best books, but I have to disagree.
I found myself quickly becoming absorbed into the story and felt a connection with the characters. I really felt for the mother in this story as well as the children. I found my emotions at work reading this book and didn't find myself bored while reading it.

I loved reading about Framboise struggle to catch 'Old Mother' and how she found herself falling in love with one of the characters. I love how this character was strong and yet you are shown her weakness's as she has to face one of the biggest challenges in her life.

My verdict: Throughly enjoyable.

The Virgins Lover by Philippa Gregory.

Author: Philippa Greogory
ISBN: 0-00-714731-7
Genre: Historical Tudor Fiction
Publisher: Harper Collins

"Elizabeth I has acceded to the throne of England, a position she has waited and schemed for all her life. She is surrounded by advisers, all convinced that a young woman cannot form political judgements. Elizabeth feels that she can rely on just one man: her oldest friend, Robert Dudley. It is soon plain that he is more than merely a friend. In a house in the countryside waits a very different woman, Amy Robsart - Robert's wife. She has no taste for life at court and longs for the day when her husband will return home. She has loved him since she was a girl, but now they are adults she hardly sees him. Meanwhile, the pressure grows for Elizabeth to marry, for it is unthinkable that a queen should rule on her own. Elizabeth's preference is clear, but he is unavailable. But what if the unthinkable were to happen!"

This is the second Philippa Gregory book I have read. I wasn't expecting it to be very good because I had heard some negative reviews about it. However, I really enjoyed it. I felt apart of the novel and also felt like I had been transported back in time.

Queen Elizabeth I, in this book is portrayed as a weak queen, very indecisive and a constant worrier. Whether she was really like this, I have no idea? I did find that because she was portrayed this way, the book did seem to loose it's royalty feel to it. Where as in 'The other Boleyn Girl' the royalty is felt throughout the book.

I loved Lady Amy Dudley in this book, she was portrayed as a strong woman. She didn't deserve the hand she was dealt in life and I very much felt sorry for her.

At the end of this book I was left with an eerie feeling, I was pretty sad especially when I read the authors note. Another thing that I love is how I have learnt from reading Philippa's books. I know it's fictional but the stories are based on true historical facts.

My Verdict: Loved it!

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Author: Philippa Greogory
ISBN: 0-00-651400-6
Genre: Tudor Fiction
Publisher: Harper Collins

"
Fabulous historical novel set in the court of King Henry VIII. Mary Boleyn attracts the attention of the young king and becomes his mistress; when he tires of her, she sets out to school her sister, Anne, as a replacement. Politics and passion are inextricably bound together in this compelling drama. The Boleyn family is keen to rise through the ranks of society, and what better way to attract the attention of the most powerful in the land than to place their most beautiful young woman at court? But Mary becomes the king's mistress at a time of change. He needs his personal pleasures, but he also needs an heir. The unthinkable happens and the course of English history is irrevocably changed. For the women at the heart of the storm, they have only one weapon; and when it's no longer enough to be the mistress, Mary must groom her younger sister in the ways of the king. What happens next is common knowledge -- but here it is told in a way we've never heard it before, with all of Philippa Gregory's characteristic perceptiveness, backed by meticulous research and superb storytelling skills."

This was my first Tudor fiction and also Philippa Gregory book. I was excited about reading it as I have heard so many good reviews about her. I haven't heard anyone put this author down.

Reading this book felt like I took a step back in time, I felt as though I was looking through Mary Stafford's (Boleyn) eye's. I felt her emotions and went through every part of this story with her. At some parts in the book I was reeling with anger and others, I was moved near to tears and others laughing with Mary.

As I read the book I also found myself being filled with knowledge and I loved the descriptions of the Castles and their dresses. Oh yes I loved the dresses!

In the book, I learnt to love Mary, she was a gentle soul who was loyal to her sister Anne. But Anne who was so selfish, gave no thought for anyone but herself. I really hated her in the book and to be honest when she was beheaded, I didn't feel much sympathy. As when things were going good, she treated her family poorly, especially Mary, but when things were bad she wanted them around. I was really angry with Anne through pretty much all of this book! LOL. I try to remember the book is fiction, so I try not to judge Anne, but in this story she was a right bitch! The only part I felt for her was when she had her miscarriages.

There are other factors to this book, like their parents who were totally selfish too and how George Mary & Anne's brother stuck by them. I liked him in the book and didn't feel he deserved to be executed.

My Verdict: A Smashing book, the very best!