Book Review, The Rogue of Islay Isle (Highland Isles Series) By Heather McCollum

 

The Rogue of Islay Isle

(Highland Isles Series)

By

Heather McCollum

Cullen Duffie, a Highland warrior and charming rogue, is the new chief of Clan MacDonald. Determined to prove he’s not his father, Cullen works to secure his clan against the English. When a woman washes onto Islay’s shores, Cullen protects her from his uncles’ schemes.

Waking up not knowing who she is or where she comes from, Madeleine is at the mercy of the man who found her. Unable to speak from the swelling around her throat from a rope tether, she learns as much as she can about the new world around her and the powerful, sword-wielding Highlander who has sworn to protect her.

Through dreams and flashes of her past, Madeleine begins to rebuild her memories. But the more she recalls about the horror she escaped, the more she realizes the jeopardy she is bringing to Islay, Clan MacDonald and the Highlander who has captured her heart.

I wish I had more time to read because then I would have got to The Rogue of Islay Isle so much the quicker. As it was, this book has been sat on my kindle for a good long while, but finally I have found the time to read it. This is a wonderfully compelling love story that swept me away to 16th Century Scotland. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and I will certainly be checking out more books by this author.

I picked up my copy on Amazon Kindle.

Quote of the month!

Book Review, That Burning Summer by Lydia Syson

 

That Burning Summer

By Lydia Syson

It’s July 1940 on the south coast of England. A plane crash-lands in the marsh, and sixteen-year-old Peggy finds its broken pilot—a young Polish airman named Henryk. Afraid and unwilling to return to the fight, Henryk needs a place to hide, and Peggy helps him find his way to a remote, abandoned church.

Meanwhile, Peggy’s eleven-year-old brother Ernest is doing his best to try to understand the war happening around him. He’s reading all the pamphlets—he knows all the rules, he knows exactly what to do in every situation. He’s prepared, but not for Peggy’s hidden pilot.

Told in alternating points of view, this is a beautifully written story about growing up in wartime and finding the difference between following the rules and following your heart.

This book has been on my to-read list forever. I was immediately drawn to this novel by the cover, which is pretty darn fabulous. The story itself was a little bit of a slow burn for me, but the characters were exceedingly likeable and the story was very realistic in the telling. The historical aspect of the novel was certainly very enjoyable and I came away from this book feeling like I had learnt something about this era.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, but you can also pick it up on Amazon

Book Review, The Sweetest Thing (Talyton St George) by Cathy Woodman

 

The Sweetest Thing

By Cathy Woodman

The third novel in Cathy Woodman's hugely popular Talyton St George series.

Each book in the Talyton St George series can be read as a standalone novel, but when Cathy first had the idea of writing about a vet practice, she intended it to be a trilogy about two vets - Maz and Alex. Their names are in brackets to show which books feature their story. All the other books have new characters, although Maz and Alex always crop up now and again.

Cupcakes and romance - what could possibly be better? 

Oh, this book was just so scrumptious. After an emotionally draining divorce, Jennie Copeland decides to make a fresh start in a new house, in a new village, in a new county. Her children are less than enthusiastic about the move, but that does not deter her, she is determined to make this new life and her new business work. What she had not countered on was her son's determination to make things as difficult for her as he possibly can and her next-door neighbour who was far too good-looking for his own good, and totally out of her league.

There was nothing not to adore about this story; it is a feel-good story that is perfect for reading in the garden on a warm summers day. I thought the characterisation was superb, the romance is sweet, and the story compelling. This is one of those books that I know I am going to read again and again.

I picked up this book in Waterstones but it can also be found on  Amazon.

The beginnings of a Bookaholic!

 

Oh look, another book! 

The story of a bookaholic begins, as all great things begin, with an adventure. And in my case, the adventure began in a playroom where the toys suddenly realised that a certain teddy bear who should have been there, was not. Old Bear had been packed in a box and taken up to the attic until the children were old enough to play with him. But, that was a long time ago, and the children were so much older now. The toys were determined to rescue that dusty old bear from the attic.

I am sure there had been many other books that my mum had read to me, but OLD BEAR by Jane Hissey was the one I remembered the most.

As soon as I learnt to read, I soon discovered to my delight that there were many more adventures to be had, and many new places to be discovered.

Fast-forward many years later, and the result is me, Maddie, an unapologetic bookaholic. I don't know the exact number of books that I have read, nor do I remember every story, but there are some that once read I will never forgot. Old Bear has the honour of being my first unforgettable book. 

Oh look, another book! seemed like the perfect title for my blog because there have been so many great books, so many amazing adventures, and now I want to share those adventures with you and help you decide which book to add to your reading list!