Posted in Book Reviews

Once Upon A Time: Leo and the Lightning Dragons by @leolightdragons ‏@FledglingPress #Lovebooksgrouptours

Posted on by Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles

This Friday is special to me. Today, I jump into the world of children books. Today, I share my thoughts, gingerly, carefully, and with hope, about a book that opened my eyes, moved me, and made me fall for the bravest knight of them all.

Thank you to Love Books Group, the lovely Kelly, for letting me be part of this journey, and this blog tour. 

leo cover.jpg

Title: Leo and the Lightning Dragons
Written by: Gill White
Illustrated by: Gilli B
Publisher: Fledgling Press
Date of hardback publication: OUT NOW
Format: PDF

Everybody in the kingdom is supporting the brave knight Leo in his battle against his fearsome dragons. They try lots of different things to help him defeat them but eventually Leo realises that the most important thing to do is to believe in himself. This beautifully illustrated book with a poignant and uplifting rhyming story encourages children to persevere and find strength in the face of adversity, even when it seems that nothing is working. Written by Gill White for her son Leo who suffers from Ohtahara Syndrome, an extremely rare form of epilepsy, and beautifully illustrated by Fife artist Gilli B, this story has been positively received by parents of children with complex needs, by care workers and medical staff and by parents of healthy young children who love the book simply as an adventure story. All royalties from the sale of this book will go to CHAS (Children’s Hospices across Scotland).  

Continue reading “Once Upon A Time: Leo and the Lightning Dragons by @leolightdragons ‏@FledglingPress #Lovebooksgrouptours” →

Posted in Book Reviews

With A Little Help From My Friends: The Happiness Project by Pippa James @PippaJamesbooks @bookouture

Posted on by Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles

Don’t you think those long and cold days are dull? Well, I have the perfect cure! Welcome to The Happiness Project!

I would like to thank Kim at Bookouture for inviting me to join this blog tour!

the happiness project.jpgTitle: The Happiness Project
Author: Pippa James
Publisher: Bookouture
Date of hardback publication: 12 February 2019
Format: NetGalley uncorrected copy
Number of pages: 343

Alison’s perfect world has fallen apart. Her beloved larger than life mother-in-law, Maggie, has just passed away. Every afternoon they’d talk and laugh over a pot of tea – and Maggie was secretly the glue that held Alison’s family together. Now she’s trying to figure out a future without her…

With a little help from her two best friends, Alison resolves to try and find her happy place and be more Maggie. Vowing to step outside of their comfort zones and make the most of every day, the three women each have their own challenges to overcome in the year ahead – a baby on the way, a romance to save and a much-needed confidence boost.

But as Alison finds herself drinking more wine than she ever has in her life and signing up for an extreme sports charity event, she starts to wonder if this is really the change she needed in her life? Or will she re-discover her happiness closer to home?

Continue reading “With A Little Help From My Friends: The Happiness Project by Pippa James @PippaJamesbooks @bookouture” →

Posted in Book Reviews

Watch Your Back: Consent by Leo Benedictus @leobenedictus @portassoph ‏ @LouisaJoyner @FaberBooks #YouNeedToReadIt

Posted on by Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles

A new week, new bookish adventures!

It took me time, but I can finally share my thoughts about what I believe to be one of the best books of the year. I’ve already read 23 novels so I know what I’m talking about! More seriously, I swear that I need to see Consent on all TBRs. Here’s why…

Many thanks to Sophie at Faber & Faber for offering me the chance to discover Leo Benedictus and Consent. This review is my unbiased opinion.

consentTitle: Consent
Author: Leo Benedictus
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Date of hardback publication: 7th February 2019
Format: paperback
Number of pages: 240

Frances is bright, young and single, enjoying life and her burgeoning career in the big city.
But after attracting the attention of a stranger, her life begins to unravel from the inside out.
A seductive novel of power and complicity. Consent shows us just how vulnerable we are to the will of others – people we may not even know…

An ingeniously nasty exercise reminiscent of Vladimir Nabokov and Patricia Highsmith – John Dugdale, Sunday Times

Continue reading “Watch Your Back: Consent by Leo Benedictus @leobenedictus @portassoph ‏ @LouisaJoyner @FaberBooks #YouNeedToReadIt” →

Posted in Tags & Awards

W.I.N.T.E.R #Suntag

Posted on by Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles

Good morning! Well, I assume it is morning for you too as I am writing this on this stormy Sunday. Let’s call it Peace and Love Sunday, and forget the waves the book blogging community has faced this week!

Today I am stealing an idea used on my fellow blogger Nicki’s blog (find her post here and give it some love!) about a Book Tag involving playing with book titles! It’s simple, it’s (hopefully) gonna kick the season off, and it’s fun!

So what do I need to do? Well, I’m joining Bibliobeth‘s seasonal tag to spell WINTER with book titles!

W.I.N.T.E.R.png

Continue reading “W.I.N.T.E.R #Suntag” →

Posted in Book Reviews

Lazy Saturday Review: When All Is Said by Anne Griffin @AnneGriffin_ @HodderBooks @SceptreBooks

Posted on by Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles

It’s the weekend already! Time flies, and books too! Today, we’re discussing a very special book. One that stays with you, one that makes you think and makes you feel all the feels. Time to fill our heart with emotions…

I received an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the publisher.

lazy-saturday-review

From Lipsyy : I started doing ‘lazy Saturday reviews’ as a way of getting reviews done in just 30 mins, and they proved to be quite popular. They are quick and snappy, and concentrate less on the plot (or content) and writing and more on my overall feelings about said book. They generally end up being a bit of a rant. My fave!

Ps: My lazy reviews are more often good ones than rants, haha!

whenallissaidTitle: When All Is Said
Author: Anne Griffin
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Date of hardback publication: 24th January 2019
Format: ARC
Number of pages: 272

I’m here to remember – all that I have been and all that I will never be again.’

At the bar of a grand hotel in a small Irish town sits 84-year-old Maurice Hannigan. He’s alone, as usual – though tonight is anything but. Pull up a stool and charge your glass, because Maurice is finally ready to tell his story.

Over the course of this evening, he will raise five toasts to the five people who have meant the most to him. Through these stories – of unspoken joy and regret, a secret tragedy kept hidden, a fierce love that never found its voice – the life of one man will be powerfully and poignantly laid bare.

Heart-breaking and heart-warming all at once, the voice of Maurice Hannigan will stay with you long after all is said.

Continue reading “Lazy Saturday Review: When All Is Said by Anne Griffin @AnneGriffin_ @HodderBooks @SceptreBooks” →

Posted in Book Reviews

Shush: #TheSilentPatient by @AlexMichaelides @PoppyStimpson @OrionBooks #BreakTheSilence

Posted on by Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles

Finally! Finally I am sharing my thoughts on one of this year’s most anticipated reads! And what a read! I’m not over it. This novel had been recommended to me by many bloggers and, guys, you were right!

Happy UK publication day, Mr Michaelides!!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Orion and Poppy for making me a happy blogger!

the silent patient.jpgTitle: The Silent Patient
Author: Alex Michaelides
Publisher: Orion Books
Date of hardback publication: 7th February 2019
Format: uncorrected bound proof
Number of pages: 339

Only she knows what happened.
Only I can make her speak.

**************

I love him so totally, completely, sometimes it threatens to overwhelm me.
Sometimes I think-
No. I won’t write about that.

ALICIA
Alicia Berenson writes a diary as a release, an outlet – and to prove to her beloved husband that everything is fine. She can’t bear the thought of worrying Gabriel, or causing him pain.

Until, late one evening, Alicia shoots Gabriel five times and then never speaks another word.

THEO
Forensic psychotherapist Theo Faber is convinced he can successfully treat Alicia, where all others have failed. Obsessed with investigating her crime, his discoveries suggest Alicia’s silence goes far deeper than he first thought.

And if she speaks, would he want to hear the truth?

Continue reading “Shush: #TheSilentPatient by @AlexMichaelides @PoppyStimpson @OrionBooks #BreakTheSilence” →

Posted in Book Reviews

The Way Home: The Lost Man by Jane Harper @janeharperautho @caolinndouglas @GraceEVincent @LittleBrownUK #TheLostMan #blogtour

Posted on by Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles

Here comes a new week, and with it, new books, new reviews, new (or not) authors! I am really happy to publish my review of The Lost Man on this freezing February morning!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Little, Brown UK and Caolinn for inviting me to be part of this wonderful tour.

the lost manTitle: The Lost Man
Author: Jane Harper
Publisher: Little Brown UK
Date of hardback publication: 7th February 2019
Format: uncorrected bound proof
Number of pages: 362

The gripping new novel from the author of the Sunday Times top ten bestsellers, The Dry and Force of Nature.

He had started to remove his clothes as logic had deserted him and his skin was cracked. Whatever had been going through Cameron’s mind when he was alive, he didn’t look peaceful in death.

Two brothers meet at the remote fence line separating their cattle farms under the relenting sun of the remote outback. In an isolated part of Western Australia, they are each other’s nearest neighbour, their homes three hours’ drive apart.

They are at the stockman’s grave, a landmark so old that no one can remember who is buried there. But today, the scant shadow it casts was the last hope for their middle brother, Cameron, who lies dead at their feet.

Something had been on Cam’s mind. Did he choose to walk to his death? Because if he didn’t, the isolation of the outback leaves few suspects…

Continue reading “The Way Home: The Lost Man by Jane Harper @janeharperautho @caolinndouglas @GraceEVincent @LittleBrownUK #TheLostMan #blogtour” →

Posted in Book Reviews

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star: Apple Of My Eye by Claire Allan @ClaireAllan @AvonbooksUK

Posted on by Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles

I hope you’re having a relaxing weekend! Today I am over the moon to share my thoughts on Apple Of My Eye by Claire Allan. It is very special to me, and I hope you love it as much as I did!

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Avon UK, Sabah, and Claire Allan!

appleofmyeyeTitle: Apple Of My Eye
Author: Claire Allan
Publisher: Avon Books UK
Date of publication: January 2019
Format: uncorrected bound proof
Number of pages: 400

When a mysterious note arrives for six months pregnant Dr Eliana Hughes, she begins to doubt every aspect of her life – from her mixed feelings about motherhood to her marriage to Martin, who has become distant in recent months.

As the person behind the note escalates their campaign to out Eli’s husband as a cheat, she finds herself unable to trust even her own instincts, and as pressure builds, she makes a mistake that jeopardises her entire future.

Elsewhere, someone is watching. Someone who desperately wants a baby to call their own and will go to any lengths to become a mother – and stay a mother…

Continue reading “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star: Apple Of My Eye by Claire Allan @ClaireAllan @AvonbooksUK” →