Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is Books for Armchair Travelers (Submitted by Laurie C @ Bay State Reader’s Advisory).
I don't often save quotes so I am going to do a twist on the topic this week. This year is my third year of participating in the Bookish Books Reading Challenge hosted at Bloggin' 'Bout Books. For my TTT post this week I am going to share the last ten bookish books I read! I think books about books is something that most of us love!
Soyangri Book Kitchen by Kim Jee Hyde - This is a Korean book about a young woman who opens a bookshop and kitchen out in the country.
The Croatian Island Library by Eva Glyn - A trio of characters sails from island to island in Croatia to share library books. (my review)
Dinner at the Night Library by Hika Harada - Another book that combines food and books! This is a Japanese story about a strange library which holds the books that writers loved. (my review)
Everyone on This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson - What happens when multiple crime authors get on a train for a crime writers festival, but less people make it to the end of the line. (my review)
The Wartime Bookclub by Kate Thompson - How a Channel Island community comes together through the love of books! (my review)
The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan - When a woman is asked to find one particular item in a falling down stately home in the Scottish highlands at Christmas time, what could go wrong?
I Give You My Body...How I Write Sex Scenes by Diana Gabaldon - This was a very short audio book about writing sex scenes and featuring a lot of quotes from her books as example.
Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland - Featuring a gorgeous sounding small town bookstore at Christmas. (my review)
The Cruise Club by Caroline James - An author with writer's block goes on a cruise where one of her author heroes is giving writing lectures. (my review)
The Storytellers by Sue Heath - A group of very different people come together at a local library with the aim of writing a short story competition entry together! (my review)
Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is Books for Armchair Travelers (Submitted by Laurie C @ Bay State Reader’s Advisory). I love armchair travel and books where people make a new start. I can and have done posts about specific destinations like Paris and Greece. My take on the theme this week is choosing books where the travelling is an integral part of the story, and I am using all different forms of transport!
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells - I have gone big with my first form of transport - space travel! And the transporter is actually a key character in the book.
Everyone on this Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson - I have read a number of books where travel on the Ghan is featured. The Ghan is a train that runs through central Australia from Darwin to Adelaide and vice versa. (my review)
Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express by Rebecca Raisin - This is another train book. This time the train goes through Europe ending up in Lapland
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles - This book probably have a bit of a different feel to most on this list, but at it's heart this is a road trip as a young man travels from Nebraska to New York.
The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary - This is the story of an uncomfortable road trip to Scotland when two sisters give on their exes and his mate a ride to a wedding.
A Wedding in the Sun by Leonie Mack - Speaking of road trip to weddings, this book features the ex wife and the ex husband of the happy couple who are thrown together at the last minute and have to make it to the wedding in Spain in time! (my review)
The Croatian Island Library by Eva Glyn - Our characters spend the summer sailing between Croatian islands providing a library service. (my review)
The Arctic Cruise by Caroline James - I have read a couple of books set on cruise ships by this author. This was my latest and saw the characters chasing the Northern Lights. (my review)
Golden Girls on the Run by Judy Leigh - When two older women borrow one of their grandson's red Ferrari, they travel from Ireland to the south of England. (my review)
Where the Birds Call Her Name by Claire van Ryn - The modern part of this dual timeline features a mother and daughter travelling from far north Western Australia to Tasmania (my review)
Melbourne weather is notoriously fickle and we have had some really,really hot days this week with more to come. This week it just so happened that I picked up two books set in the Arctic area of the northern hemisphere, so plenty of snow and ice to cool the brain. The first of those books was The Arctic Cruise by Caroline James. Our characters sailed north to Norway chasing the Northern Lights. It was a fun read. (my review)
Then my thoughts turned to France and pastries when I read The Boulangerie on the Corner by Susan Buchanan. As I stated at the beginning of my review...you had me at boulangerie!
I stepped a bit outside of my normal reading this week and read The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. I don't normally read these kinds of psychological thrillers. I picked it up because a friend of mine recently told me that McFadden is her favourite author, and I have noticed how her books are dominated the best sellers lists around the world! Having now read one of her books, I can see why. It was gripping, twisty and turny and definitely made me want to find out what happens next. I have requested the next book from the library but there is a bit of a wait.
Finally, I started Us Against You by Fredrik Backman, which is set in a small town in Sweden. This is the second book in the Beartown trilogy and I'm enjoying it very much. I can't wait to pick it up again today.
I'm watching
I watched the first episode of the Irish show, The Walsh Sisters, which is based on the Marian Keyes books. I wasn't really sure what to make of the first episode. There was lots of drama, but I guess I always think of Marian Keyes as being funny while she tackles heavy issues. I am not sure I got the funny yet. I will keep watching too see if it picks up or not.
Recently, it was announced that the best selling books in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series are being made into a TV series. I thought that it was probably about time that I watched the movie version which was made back in 2018, which is called Cafe Funiculi Funicula. I enjoyed it,, and liked the way that they depicted the person going back in time. It was a bit different to the book, which I guess is to be expected. I liked it, but I am not 100% sure it would have made a lot of sense if I didn't already read the series.
Here's the trailer
Life
It's a long weekend here for Australia Day. It is a bit of contentious holiday. It's not because people aren't proud to be Australian and love our great country, but the date of 26 January is seen as being harmful for indigenous Australians as it represents the day that the British came and took their land and so many of their people in the following years. I would be quite happy to see the date changed to another date that is less painful. It's been changed before and it can be changed again. I am, however, happy to have the additional day off. Work has been pretty stressful so I am grateful for the chance for one extra day to just do not much, especially seeing as we have had some pretty hot days
With the heat comes the threat of fires. Whilst I have never been close to being threatened by a really big fire, I do hate the days that you wake up and all you can smell is the lingering smoke from fires in other parts of the state. It was like that yesterday morning.
Max
Poor Maxxie boy has an eye infection so he looks a bit rough at the moment. It is getting better slowly though. You can also see how bad his blindness is getting. He is, however, still a happy boy. We will see if there is anything that can be done for him this year. With all his other health issues though we are just taking it one condition at a time!
Do you have a bucket list of places you would like to visit one day? We absolutely do, and visiting somewhere like Norway to visit the Northern Lights is right up near the top! In fact, we are talking about doing it at the end of this year or early next year, and having read this book, I most definitely want to go!
Joy isn't sure that she wants to really take this Christmas cruise through Norway chasing the Northern Lights. She and her husband Tom had booked the cruise some time ago to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary, but he had subsequently passed away leaving her to take the cruise on her own.
Henry is on the cruise because of the guest speakers who are experts on his favourite hobby of photography. He is looking forward to sharing his Arctic adventures with his best friend, Audrey, who can't travel herself and is therefore living vicariously through Henry.
Letitia and Jim are making the most of every moment they can, knowing that Jim's health isn't going to get any better than it is right now. And Barb and Ken are there to see and be seen and are aiming to rub shoulders with the most important people on the ship, ranging from the captain to the guests who are staying in the ultra exclusive suites.
For all that the other people play an important part in the story, this is really Joy and Henry's story. Henry is a life long bachelor and has no interest in forming any romantic relationships. Joy is still recovering from her loss. She does her best to hide in plain sight, with a wardrobe of frumpy clothes and little interest in taking part in any group activities. But some people have a knack of drawing out even the shyest of people. We watch as Joy begins to come out of her shell, and it is only then that we find out how much impact she has had in her field of work and we see her undergo a transformation of her own.
Ultimately, for Joy and Henry the attraction they feel for each other is initially hampered by their life experience and circumstances. Will they take a risk and try to build on what starts on a boat underneath the amazing aurora borealis, or will they take only their memories with them as they return to their normal life?
We love a cruise from the food to the entertainment, the sea days and the excursions, although we have never done one to cold climes. We also haven't done a cruise at Christmas time, which is when this book is set. We have talked about it, and it is very tempting, so it might happen at some point. And whilst it is more fun to be the one actually cruising from one interesting destination to another, Caroline James does a great job of taking us on a cruise through the pages of her books! I particularly enjoyed her descriptions of some of the excursions!
One of the challenges of travelling with other people is that there are all sorts of people out there, some of whom you can quickly come to like and other's who you know you would never pass the time of day to in other circumstances. We have met the people who know what is best for the whole group, the people who have been everywhere and done everything, and the people who just stick to themselves and barely acknowledge your existence. Just like in real life, the book is peppered with different types of people who are thrown together by fate. Fortunately, none of the people I have met in real life are as bad as a couple of the passengers in this story!
I have read several of Caroline James' books now, and I have enjoyed them all, but I particularly enjoyed this one with it's interesting mix of locations and characters. I look forward to reading her next cruise adventure!
I don't want to finish without giving a shout to the cover designers as this cover is amazing! Great job!
I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Thanks to the publisher, Rachel's Random Resources and Netgalley for the review copy. Check out the other stops on the blog tour as well!
Rating 4/5
About the book
The Arctic Cruise
Pack your bags for the adventure of a lifetime…
From the #1 bestselling author of The Cruise, embark on an unforgettable journey and sail through Norway’s winter wonderlands to see the spectacular Northern Lights.
________
Will the Arctic wonderland work its magic this winter?
Joy never imagined stepping aboard a cruise ship without her husband, Tom. Now widowed, Joy wonders what her voyage on the Emerald Dream will hold – and as it glides through breathtaking Norwegian fjords, she longs to believe in happiness again. However, she carries a secret that could unravel her fragile hopes if it ever came to light…
Elsewhere on deck, as the sun dips below the horizon and the polar night sets in, Henry, a lifelong bachelor, is living his dream of seeing the Northern Lights. Having long since given up on love, he now dedicates himself to his passion for photography. But when he meets Joy, is it more than the aurora borealis that catches his eye?
As they embark on a snow-dusted adventure which takes them from bustling ports to reindeer-drawn sleigh rides, will Joy and Henry find the courage to embrace love again? Or will hidden truths sink the possibility of a new beginning?
A heartwarming, feel-good voyage of self-discovery, romance and second chances, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Judy Leigh.
Caroline James is the celebrated author of later-life fiction, including THE CRUISE, the #1 best-seller that has captivated cruise ship passengers worldwide, and her eagerly anticipated follow-up novel, THE CRUISE CLUB, and now: THE ARCTIC CRUISE.
Her best-selling novel ATTICUS ARNOTT’S GREAT ADVENTURE is described as “A heartwarming and uplifting read where the characters shine from the page.”
Caroline’s vibrant storytelling stems from her colourful career. Before becoming a full-time writer, she carved out a fascinating path in the hospitality industry, owning a charming country house hotel and a lively pub. As a media agent, she worked closely with celebrity chefs, giving her an insider’s perspective on the glitz, glamour, and grit of the culinary world. When she finally turned her focus to writing, she discovered her true calling, penning best-selling novels that have garnered her legions of fans.
When she’s not writing in her cosy writing retreat, Caroline enjoys tranquil walks with Fred, her Westie, and refreshing swims in a local lake. As a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the SoA, ARRA, and the Society of Women’s Writers & Journalists, Caroline is a champion of lifelong creativity.
This week I finished reading Soyangri Book Kitchen by Kim Jee Hye (translated by Shanna Tan). This was a really cute Korean read, which is about a woman who starts a book kitchen and it tells the story of her guests and the people who end up around her. It is a book about books and about food, which is right in my wheelhouse, and there were some really nice quotes, including this one about why the owner named it a book kitchen
Even landing on the name 'Soyangri Book Kitchen' had taken Yoojin two whole weeks. She wanted a name befitting a place filled with books. Drawing inspiration from the idea that every book has a unique flavour that would appeal differently to its readers, she hoped that by naming the shop a book kitchen, it would become a space where people could enjoy some reading time and rest their weary hearts. Like how food comforts the soul, she hoped, too, that the delicious smell of paper and books would make her guests feel comfortable enough to shed the burden of bottled-up feelings, and to embrace some moments of solace and warmth.
I read The Croatian Island Library by Eva Glyn on the plane to Perth, and I am planning to finish The Arctic Cruise by Caroline James on the plane home. I am due to post reviews of both of those on Wednesday so the pressure is on!
I finished listening to Bite by Bite by Aimee Nezhukumatathi which is the current selection for Cook the Books. What an enjoyable listening experience this was. My review for this one will be up in a couple of weeks.
I then started listening to The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts, which is the third book in The Lost Brides series.
I was meant to do my 2025 stats last week but I didn't get it done, so that will have to be next week. I normally try to at least be working on my big posts the week before but I ran out of time this week, and this week looks like it is going to be pretty busy too!
I'm watching
Not much this week!
Life
We did a quick trip to Perth this week to watch the first SailGP race of the season and the first one to be run is Perth! The weather was perfect, the racing was amazing and it was an all round good weekend!
On the first day we sat in the Beach club which was very relaxed. The second day we sat in the grandstands. The view was amazing but it was so windy that I ended up not being able to wear my hat for very long in case it flew off! There are at least 3 more years for the race to be held in Perth and we will definitely be back for at least one of those, or maybe all of them. We'll see.
We stayed with my auntie, so we got to see family, eat some great food and catch up!
Welcome on board the Diamond Star! The sun is shining, the drinks are flowing, and the sightseeing is amazing.
This is the second book from author Caroline James set on board the Diamond Star. I hadn't read the first book, The Cruise, but it didn't really matter as it appears that the story is set on the same ship but with only a couple of crew members returning as characters, one of which was the old style comedian Dickey Delaney. I was surprised in a good way to see Sid and Fran from The French Cookery School ( which I reviewed here) pop up on the cruise on holidays
Carmen Cunningham is an author who has had one successful cosy mystery novel published. She has a contract for two more, but the words just aren't coming. She also has a very difficult and demanding mother, Betty, who is really, really horrible to her the vast majority of the time. One day, Carmen sees an advertisement for a Mediterranean cruise where there is a special guest. Her author hero Ruskin Reeve is going to be on board and leading writing workshops. Thinking that maybe this might help her writing so she books! Of course, as soon as Betty finds out she is insistent that she too will go on the cruise and must be in the cabin next to Carmen. Poor Carmen. Every time her mother bashes on the wall with her walking stick she is expected to react immediately.
Once on board, we meet a variety of characters from Dickey to the drag queen Melody, who don't initially like each other which is tricky seeing as they are sharing a backstage dressing room. We meet Ruskin who has his own reasons for coming on the cruise, Theo a famous TV chef, Holden who is an American gentleman and a few other characters.
When mystery author Ruskin initially meets Carmen he pretty much dismisses her, which might say something about him but it also reflects how Carmen feels about herself. She dresses in boring, drab clothing, hasn't had her hair done in forever and hides behind her big glasses. However, colourful Fran gets hold of Carmen and helps give her a makeover, and magically, Carmen begins to shine. Of course, her mother does her best to knock that shine off.
For the crew on the Diamond Star, things start to get a bit problematic when there are a series of jewellery thefts on board. Can the author of mysteries figure out who the thief is before they have to alert the authorities and cause panic on board?
My favourite things about this book was the ports that the boat stops in at. It visits places like Rhodes, Crete and Malta. There was also a description of the ship passing through the Corinth Canal, which as a smaller ship it was able to do, although I don't think cruise ships go through there too often, regardless of their size. All of the places describe made me wish I could go on a Mediterranean cruise now.
We enjoy a cruise. Together we have been on two. The first was to the Caribbean and then recently to Japan. Separately we had done the Pacific Islands. One thing I don't remember seeing much of were the upside down pineapples which apparently mean that you are up for some "good times" if you get my drift. Maybe they were there but I just wasn't seeing them.
If you are looking for a quick, easy and fun escapist read which takes you on a journey through the Mediterranean this is a book for you. There's humour, romance, some interesting characters (good and bad), a bit of a mystery and more.
I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.
Rating 4/5
About the Book
The Cruise Club
Because the best adventures are still to come…
Escape to the sun with the #1 bestselling author of The Cruise in a feelgood romcom full of romance, fun and mischief, which will sweep you away to the azure waters of the Mediterranean with every turn of the page…
Set sail on the Diamond Star for sunshine, romance – and just a little bit of mischief…
Cosy crime writer Carmen Cunningham is in trouble. Her inspiration has vanished, her deadline is looming, and her meddling elderly mother Betty consumes her every waking moment. Hoping to revive her creativity, Carmen books a dream cruise, featuring workshops with her literary idol, Ruskin Reeve. It’s the perfect plan – until Betty insists on tagging along…
However, as the Diamond Star sails through sun-soaked ports and magical Mediterranean islands, Carmen finds the escape she needs as she discovers new friendships, and unexpected sparks with the grumpy, but charming, Ruskin.
But mischief is afoot on board the ship, with talk of items going missing and a secret club that’s got everyone talking… Will the cruise reignite Carmen’s writing muse or plunge her into the biggest plot twist of her life? Because, as she's about to find out, anything can happen at sea…
Caroline James is the celebrated author of later-life fiction, including THE CRUISE, the #1 best-seller that has captivated readers and cruise ship passengers worldwide, earning its reputation as Girl Power for the Over-Sixties! Her eagerly anticipated follow-up novel, THE CRUISE CLUB, is set to make waves when it launches in 2025.
Caroline’s vibrant storytelling stems from her colourful career. Before becoming a full-time writer, she carved out a fascinating path in the hospitality industry, owning a charming country house hotel and a lively pub. As a media agent, she worked closely with celebrity chefs, giving her an insider’s perspective on the glitz, glamour, and grit of the culinary world. When she finally turned her focus to writing, she discovered her true calling, penning best-selling novels that have garnered her legions of fans.
When she’s not writing in Venus, her holiday home on wheels, Caroline enjoys tranquil walks with Fred, her lovable Westie, and swims in a local lake. As a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the SoA, ARRA, and the Society of Women’s Writers & Journalists, Caroline is a passionate advocate for the written word and a champion of life-long creativity.
I started the week by finishing The Girl From Normandy by Rachel Sweasey, which I really enjoyed. This is Rachel's third book and I now own the other two. Hopefully I can fit them in soon! My review is here.
I then read a book called The Butterfly Women by Madeleine Cleary which is set in 1860s Melbourne. There is always something so special about reading a book set in the place you live, where you can recognise the locations mentioned! My review is here.
One of the bonuses of not being able to sleep due to coughing and waking myself up is I picked up The Cruise Club by Caroline James and got through it pretty quickly. Got to look for the silver linings wherever you can find them right.
I then looked at my review books where I don't have a blog tour date allocated and thought I would just pick one. I was intrigued by The Lost Story of Sophia Costello by Siobhan Curham right from the prologue. I have read a few books by this author now and this might be her best yet. Both this book and The Girl From Normandy count for my read on a theme book club where the theme this month is war. I think I have four books for far, which they are all going to laugh at and call me an over achiever! Oh well! It was always going to be an easy theme for me.
I then started Beartown by Fredrik Backman. It's one of my Twenty Books of Winter and it feels like a dense read so I wanted to give myself time to read it.
However, I got a notification from the library that The Cryptic Clue by Amanda Hampson could not be renewed so it needs to be returned, so I had to drop Beartown and pick up The Cryptic Clue! It's so much fun! I'll get back to Beartown shortly.
Get ready for lots of posts this month as Paris in July starts tomorrow. I have been busy in the background getting some posts prepared in advance ready for the event.
I'm watching
We watched a few of the things that we had started previously in the last week, but the only thing that we finished was Welcome to Wrexham. We didn't really start anything new.
Life
I am still sick so the only times I left the house in the last week were to go to the doctors and the vet. This is week 3 so I am a bit over it.
Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Debut Novels I Enjoyed (A debut novel is an author’s first published book. You could also choose to share genre or age group debuts if you’d prefer, such as an adult fiction author’s first YA book or a mystery writer’s first romance.) (submitted by Angela @ Reading Frenzy)
I keep track of a lot of things on my two spreadsheets, whether a book is the author's debut or not is not one of them. So I am going to twist the topic a little bit and share the last ten books that I have read where I hadn't read the author before.
Champagne Widows by Rebecca Rosenberg - If all goes to plan I will be reviewing this next weekend.
The Itinerary by Penny Pentley - This was a fun trip through Europe
Family Tree by Susan Wiggs - I can't believe I hadn't read this author before now. (My review)
A New Dawn at Owl's Lodge by Jessica Redland - I would like to read more from this author (My review)
Come Fly With Me by Helen Rolfe - I will be reading my next book from this author soon (My review)
The French Cookery School by Caroline James - This was so much fun! Made me want to do a cooking course in France. (My review)
Invitation to Italy by Victoria Springfield - I'd be happy to visit Italy or France. Either one really. (My review)
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - i can't wait to see the movie of this! The cast looks stellar.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa - I have the next book on my Kindle already.
The French Adventure by Jennifer Bohnet - Say yes to adventure! (My review)
Before I start, just a quick note. You may have noticed that things look a bit different around here. I have finally done the blog makeover that I have been thinking about for years. The design literally went live overnight so things might look a bit odd while I sort things out!
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When Waltho Williams finishes renovating his chateau it is a bitter sweet moment. He bought the property, knowing that it needed a lot of work, with his partner, but he has had to finish the project himself. He decides to use his newly renovated spaces to run a cooking school. He recruits a semi-famous chef, Daniel, who needs the money spending a week teaching will give him, and a sous chef, not really knowing how the week will go.
Luckily the week becomes fully booked, and so the participants arrive. They come from all walks of life. There is uptight Caroline, larger than life Fran and unlucky in love journalist Sally, amongst other characters who come together to learn more about France and it's food.
When I was trying to think of a word to describe Caroline, at first I was thinking stand-offish, but I don't think that is a strong enough word. Just before her trip she has found out that not only has her husband been unfaithful and leaving her, but he has pretty much cleaned her out financially as well. She is therefore on the brink of losing everything - both professionally and personally. She is one of those people who always look perfectly put together, elegant. She is, however, distant, and she is constantly aware that she needs to watch every morsel that passes her lips so that she doesn't put on an ounce of weight.
Fran is at the cooking school to see if she has what it takes to help make her husband's dream of a fine dining restaurant come true. It will be a long way from their current business which is a successful fish and chip shop. She is exuberant, dresses in loud clothes - the very antithesis of Caroline. It's no wonder they clash.
And then there is journalist Sally. She has recently broken up with someone, and so she is focussing solely on work. She is spending the week getting material to write a series of stories about attending a cooking school. The last thing that she needs is to get distracted by a handsome chef.
There was so much to love about this book. I loved reading all about the lessons, where the chef put the class through their paces, each of them making something to contribute to the next meal. Some of the dishes sounded a-maz-ing. I also loved reading about the adventures the group went on in the nearby area, seeing the sites. I wasn't super keen on Caroline, but I guess you weren't meant to be.
I am sure that I am not alone in thinking that spending a week learning to cook at a beautiful French chateau sounds like the epitome of luxury. I am not sure it would ever happen as it is an expensive exercise, but a girl can dream right?
When we visited France early last year we stayed in what the owner called a chateau in a tiny town outside of Bloise. I couldn't help but think about that experience as I read this book, particularly the section which talked about the breakfasts! They were amazing.
This is my first Caroline James book, and I will definitely read more.
Be sure to check out other stops on the blog tour and see what they have to say about this book.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.
Rating 4.5
About the book
The French Cookery School
Mix together a group of mature students:
A culinary Sloane, a take-away cook and a food journalist.
Add in:
A handsome host
Season with:
A celebrity chef
Bring to the boil:
At a luxurious cookery school in France!
Waltho Williams has no idea what he’s letting himself in for when he opens the doors of La Maison du Paradis, his beautiful French home. But with dwindling funds, a cookery school seems like the ideal business plan.
Caroline James
always wanted to write, but instead of taking a literary route, followed a
career in the hospitality industry, which included owning a pub and a beautiful
country house hotel. She was also a media agent representing celebrity chefs.
When she finally glued her rear to a chair and began to write, the words
flowed, and several novels later, she has gained many bestseller badges for her
books.
The
French Cookery School is Caroline’s tenth
novel. Previously, The
Cruise, described as: ‘Girl
power for the over sixties!’ was an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller. Caroline’s
hilarious novels include The
Spa Break and The Best Boomerville Hotel, depicted as ‘Britain’s answer to the Best Marigold Hotel’.
She likes to write
in Venus, her holiday home on wheels and in her spare time, walks with Fred,
her Westie, or swims in a local lake. Caroline is a member of the Romantic
Novelists Association, the SOA, ARRA and the Society of Women’s Writers &
Journalists. She is also a speaker with many amusing talks heard by a variety
of audiences, including cruise ship guests.
Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page
I am quite sure how I had enough energy but I did finish a couple of books last week. Maybe it's the reading I am doing in the middle of the night when I can't sleep thanks to work issues.
This week I read two books that I am going to review later this week. The first was A Single Act of Kindness by Samantha Tonge. I have read a number of this author's books and this is up there with the best from her!
I also read The French Cooking School by Caroline James. It should be pretty obvious why I was attracted to this book. I mean France and foodie reads! My idea of a good read!!
Speaking of France and food, I started Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge. This is the current Cooking the Books selection and it features Julia Child as one of the characters!
I'm Watching
Masterchef Australia is back baby! I will be very interested to see how this season goes as there are three new judges this year.
Life
Whilst I am collapsing into bed each night and therefore not doing a lot, we did manage to have a fancy lunch. One of my step-daughters is moving to the UK for a while so we went to a lovely buffet restaurant in the city yesterday. There will be several other farewell events this weekend
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