Top Ten Tuesday: Authors You Wish Were Still Writing Today

 Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is  Authors You Wish Were Still Writing Today (These could be authors who have passed away or retired/are taking a long hiatus from writing. You could also spin this and share authors who have switched to a genre you’re not interested in.) (submitted by Rebecca @ Top100Books)

When I  checked I realise that we did this topic a couple of years ago. Most of the names are the same (although I chose different book covers to share) but I did change a couple of them! For the most part I have chosen authors who have passed away, except for the last two!

I did have another author in my list and it was only when I went to Fantastic Fiction to check that I realised that she has actually had about 5 books out in the last few years. Whoops!

Anyway, here's my list.

Diana Norman/Ariana Franklin - I loved the Mistress of the Art of Death series which this author published under the name of Ariana Franklin, but I first started reading her books under her name Diana Norman, and I particularly enjoyed her Makepeace Hedley trilogy which started with A Catch of Consequence

Sharon Kay Penman - I love SKP's books and often mention books like The Sunne in Splendour or Here Be Dragons in relation to her. This time though, I am going to use the first of her Justin de Quincy mysteries as my choice. 

Carlos Ruiz Zafon - I think it is maybe time for me to reread The Shadow of the Wind. I loved that book so much. 

Susan Vreeland - It appears I have only read three of this author's books, but they definitely left an impact!

Lucinda Riley - When Lucinda Riley passed away before the last book in the Seven Sisters series was released, her son took over the writing. Recently, it's been announced that he has written a new book set in the same world. I am invested enough to want to read the book, but also not sure how I feel about it all!

Terry Pratchett - I do occasionally find myself wondering what Sir Terry would make of the world right now. 

Stieg Larsson - Remember how popular this author's books were back in the early 2000's. Crazy to think that he passed away before the books were published and so successful.

Kerry Greenwood - When this Australian author passed last year I was sad to think that we had no more Phryne Fisher novels to come, even though I still have a lot of the series to read.

Laura Florand - Laura Florand will always appear on these lists for me. No, she hasn't passed away, but she no longer writes. When I went through a reading slump that lasted for years a while ago, she was one of the few authors who I still read! 

Lisa Kleypas - Don't panic. Lisa Kleypas is alive and well. In fact, she probably shouldn't be on this list at all given that she has recently announced that there will be a new book coming out from her soon. It's just that it has been a long 5 years since the last one! This is one of her standalone books which is probably lesser known, but it is also one of my favourites.

Top Ten Tuesday: That smells so good!

 Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Literary/Bookish Candles I’d Make (Pick a book and assign it a fragrance or fragrance combo that would make a nice candle.) (Submitted by Heather @ The Frozen Library)

Originally, I wasn't 100% sure I would do the topic as written but then I remembered that there are plenty of foodie scents that would work in a candle. I have also been meaning to do a foodie books post so I am combining the two! Not all of these books are foodie as such but they do have food items in their title!

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden - I just recently read this and really enjoyed it! The main character, Lolly, makes a lot of Lemon Drop Pie in this book. Think lemon meringue pie with a small twist!

A Faraway Smell of Lemon by Rachel Joyce - This is a short story and the only thing I have read by Rachel Joyce. I do mean to read more as I love the sound of this book. Bonus is that it is set at Christmas and so we can combine the smell of lemon with the smells of Christmas.

A Crown of Bitter Orange by Laura Florand - I love Laura Florand's books so it is a real shame that she isn't publishing any more. They mostly are foodie or about perfumes and set in France. This is the third book in the La Vie en Roses series.

White Mulberry by Rosa Kwan Easton - I read this earlier this year before our trip to Japan and Korea and learnt so much about the history in the 20th century between these two countries. (my review)

Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Flake - You could use just about any book by in the Hannah Swensen series for this prompt

It was the Pie's Fault by Elizabeth Sa Fleur - This was a super fun romance that I read a while ago now which features fake dating, grumpy/sunshine tropes and delicious sounding cherry pies!

Chai Time at the Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran - This is a two for one book. Chai and Cinnamon could both be candle flavours right. It is also an excellent read!

Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown - I mean if someone likes the smell of gunpowder this could be a two for one too! I started reading this ages ago but other things go in the way and I never finished it! One day I will. 

The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly - My favourite in this trilogy was The Winter Rose but this was a great read too. And another two candle flavours title.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki - If I am going to do tea then it is only fair that I do coffee too! This was such a fun read when I read it last year. The next book in the series is being released in English next month and I am looking forward to it! (my review)

Do we have any candle flavours in common?

Sunday Salon: Spell the Month in Books - July

Reviews From the Stacks

For 2025 I have decided to have a go at Spell the Month in Books which is hosted at Reviews From the Stacks. The link party opens on the first Saturday of the month, but I won't be posting until after that as I already have other things scheduled every Saturday and for the first two Sundays of the month. I will be sharing this post with Sunday Salon hosted at Readerbuzz.

The idea is that you use the title of books to spell the month name. The theme  for July is set in a fantasy world or fictional place! Given that I am participating in Paris in July, all of these books have a French connection. Now I am not suggesting that France is fictional, but I am always dreaming of visiting it so that makes it my fantasy right?

We won't talk about the fact that I had to cheat a little bit for the J and the Y. Shhhh!

A Wish Upon Jasmine by Laura Florand - A few years ago now I had a massive reading slump that lasted a good couple of years. I think one year I only read about 10 books. Laura Florand was one of the few authors I was still reading. I really enjoyed all of her books which combined France and chocolate and perfume! This book is the second book in the La Vie en Roses series. I wish she was still writing now. 

Under a Riviera Moon by Helen McGinn - I read this book earlier this year. It was the first I had read by this author who is a wine expert and appears on British TV. (my review)

Lunch in Paris: A Delicious Love Story, with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard - It's hard to believe I read this book 14 years ago now, but it's true. I originally posted about this book and linked it up to Paris in July back in 2011. This is the story of a woman whom move to France for love, the fabulous food she ate and the challenges that she faced. I still love this cover. (my review)

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes - This is a dual timeline where the historical time frame is WWI France (my review)

August's theme is Written by your favorite author(s). Finding two U books is going to be very challenging I think!

Will you be joining us?

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I'd Love Another Book From

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Authors I’d Love a New Book From (These could be authors that have passed away, who have retired from writing, who have inexplicably gone quiet, or who might jut not be able to keep up with how quickly you read their books!)

The first five authors I have mentioned are people who have passed away.

Terry Pratchett - When I was looking at the website, I saw that they have found a "lost" book so there will be something new.

Ariana Franklin - This is an example of a series where a family member continued the series after the author's death.

Sharon Kay Penman - While we will never have a new SKP book, I do still have a couple of books still to read.

Susan Vreeland - I really liked this authors take on historical fiction.

Carlos Ruiz Zafon - I did love Shadow of the Wind so hard

And the next few just don't seem to be writing anymore

Lisa Kleypas - There's an irony that I have three historical romance readers on this list because I just don't really read this genre anymore.

Liz Carlyle - I used to love Liz Carlyle's books but there hasn't been a new one for years now.

Loretta Hill - This author was writing rural fiction featuring women working in really interesting jobs before she just stopped writing.

Laura Florand - A while ago I was going through a huge reading slump and there were only two authors who I was still reading. Laura Florand was one of those.

Tessa Dare - In theory there is going to be another Tessa Dare book but it does keep on getting delayed. The release date is now 3036

Top Ten Tuesday: Celebrating Later in Life Romances

 

 

 

 

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is a love freebie. No, not swinging 60s Miss Free Love kind of freebie,  but a theme of my choice about love.

I have decided to focus on romances with older characters, mainly because I didn't meet my lovely husband until I was in my mid to late 40s so I know that love stories can happen at that age. Now, I could cheat and just do 10 of Maggie Christensen's books, but I am sure that I can find some others authors too. But let's start with Maggie and see where we go from there.

The Life She Deserves by Maggie Christensen - This is the first book in the Granite Springs series and the first I read by Maggie. I am now up to book number 14.

Summer in Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen - This is the first book in the Bellbird Bay series, which was a spin-off from the Granite Springs series.

A Basic Renovation by Sandra Antonelli  - One of the earliest authors I read who specifically wrote mature age romance.

Finding Love at the Christmas Markets by Jo Thomas - I discovered this author last year by accident and really enjoyed her so have read a couple of her books now.

One French Summer by Gillian Harvey - This is the book I am reading right now,

Sun-Kissed by Laura Florand - When I was having a massive reading slump a few years ago, Laura Florand was one of only two authors I kept reading. I wish she was still writing,

Black Rose by Nora Roberts - I read this book years ago!

Apples Should be Red by Penny Watson - We are now in the territory of unread books that caught my attention. This sounds like fun. The content warning says "Story includes copious profanity and botanical references."

The Shelly Beach Writers Group by June Loves - Haven't read this....yet.

The Woman Who Met Her Match by Fiona Gibson - Or this!

Can you recommend any mature-age/second chance/later in life/whatever you want to call them romances?

Top Ten Tuesday: Chocolate anyone?

 

 

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the topic is  Books with [___] On the Cover (Pick a thing (a color, an item, a place, an animal, a scripty font, a sexy person, etc.) and share covers that have that thing on the cover.) My thing is chocolate! Originally I was thinking about posting this last week in honour of Easter but then I saw that this was the next theme it seemed perfect for this week!

I'll start with the chocolate themed books I have read, then a few that I want to read.

Friends, Lovers, Chocolate by Alexander McCall Smith - The second book in the Isabel Dalhousie series set in Edinburgh (review here)

Bread and Chocolate by Philippa Gregory - I read this short story collection more than 15 years ago. I don't remember a thing about it though! (review here)

The Chocolate Run by Dorothy Koomson - I read several Koomson books and then haven't read another for years. I do remember really liking this one

The Chocolate Thief by Laura Florand - Laura Florand has an entire series of books with chocolate titles, and then a couple of others. If you love foodie romances, especially set in France, then this series is for you. (review here)

The Chocolate Tin by Fiona McIntosh - This book was chock-full of chocolate history, set just after the end of WWI.

Chocolate Cake for Breakfast by Danielle Hawkins - I've been known to have chocolate cake for breakfast on occasion! (review)

The Chocolate Chip Murder by Joanna Fluke - This ws the first book in the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series. I read about 8 books in the series until I got annoyed with the love triangle. There are now 28 books in the series, many with chocolate titles, but I won't be going back seeing as it appears that the love triangle thing is still going.

The Chocolate Promise by Josephine Moon - Last year I read The Jam Queens by this author, and I still have this on my Kindle to read at some point.

The Chocolate Maker's Wife by Karen Brooks - I have this book sitting on my Kindle for a while too.

The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan - I have read a number of books by Jenny Colgan over the years, but this one is still on the TBR list.

Have you read any other chocolate themed books?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Enjoyed But Have Never Mentioned on the Blog

 

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the topic is Books I Enjoyed But Have Never Mentioned. In theory this is a topic that I should be able to do quite easily especially as I had a couple of years where I didn't post much about books, but it has taken a while to compile because of the word "never". I ended up going back as far as 2014 to find books I couldn't find mentioned at all. Here's what I came up with.

City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin - The third book in the The Twelve trilogy

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne - I had forgotten that I had read this. As recently as a few weeks ago I was asked if I had read it and I was like...no, not yet. Wrong!!

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen - This the first book in the series of the same name. I liked this but I never read any further.

Templar Silks by Elizabeth Chadwick - I really need to read some more Chadwick and soon!

A Kiss in Lavender by Laura Florand - Laura Florand is one of the authors that I still read during my massive reading slump.

Quarterback Rush by Jaci Burton - I read 9 books in the Play by Play series but not sure I mentioned many of them.

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante - I am not sure why I never read any more of this series after this book.

Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel - This is the second book in the Cromwell series. I was very excited about the third book when it came out last year in 2020 but still haven't actually read it.

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen - I've mentioned lots of other SAA books on the blog but not this one. This was her last book and was published 6 years. That means 6 years of anticipation for her next book which is out later this year.

Evergreen Falls by Kimberly Freeman - I really enjoy Kimberly Freeman's books. I still have a couple to read.

If we do this topic again I might have to go back into the 2000s to find another 10

Top Ten Tuesday: Fruit salad...yummy yummy

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is, well, it's a freebie, so there isnt really one.

I had a few different ideas for a theme, but I have ended up choosing books with fruit in the title. This came about because I just finished reading The Last of the Apple Blossom yesterday, and I also have Apple Tree Yard sitting on my bedside table, so that's where my inspiration came from! And you have to take inspiration where you can find it, right?

The Last of the Apple Blossom by Mary-Lou Stephen - I just finished this today.

Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty - I got this as part of a blind date with a book. I really need to read it so I can hand it to the next person.

The Oak Apple by Cynthia Harrod Eagles - This is the fourth book in the sprawling Morland dynasty series with this one focussing on the period during the reign of Charles I. I've read 7 books but there are still around another 22 to go. I haven't read one for years though

Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris - Apparently I owned this book at one point. I have no idea if I still have it or if it was victim to a cull a couple of years ago. When I finish the current cull and packing I might have more of an idea.

Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms by Anita Heiss - I definitely own this one. We were planning to go to a town called Cowra last week which is very close to where this book is set but because of lockdown we couldn't go anywhere.

Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigani - I haven't read this one. I did read the first book in the series many years ago and I suspect I borrowed this one from the library at least once. I just never read it.

Watermelon by Marian Keyes - If I was making an actual fruit salad one thing that wouldn't be included is any type of melon. Bleugh!

A Crown of Bitter Orange by Laura Florand - I loved Laura Florand's books, and she was one of only a couple of authors that I kept reading during my massive reading slump a few years ago.

Spring Clean for the Peach Queen by Sasha Wasley - This one is on my list to read soon!

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen - I do enjoy SAA's books.

For those of  you who might not be familiar with the Wiggles, this song is the reason why my post is called Fruit Salad Yummy Yummy!