Mailbox Monday & Life This Week - June 1st

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Life This Week is a meme created by Denyse Whelan Blogs where bloggers share snaps of what is currently happening in their lives.

Happy Monday!

What has been happening over the last two weeks!
Life is slowly getting back to some sort of normal as schools started back full time. Cafes and shops are still limited but restrictions here will be easing soon.

I was excited that we had a good night of rain last week and it was good to see the gardens getting some much needed water but it was short lived and we haven't seen rain since but the tanks are now full.

We are still going on lots of walks and we saw a couple of bush turkeys in the bush near our house. They were having a great time scratching in a huge pile of wood-chip. 

I helped my daughter do an end of lease clean and my muscles hurt the next day. It was a good, you've had a good workout, hurt. She surprised me with flowers the next day.

I've been doing more baking. I made these honey madeleines from Just Desserts by Charlotte Ree. They were simple delicious.

Books received over the last two weeks:

Won:

The Girl She Was by Rebecca Freeborn
Layla was just like any other teenager in the small town of Glasswater Bay: she studied hard, went out with her friends and worked at the local cafe after school. But when her attractive, married boss turned his attention on her, everything changed.

Twenty years later, Layla's living a quiet life in the suburbs with a loving husband and two children. She's finally left the truth of what happened behind. Until she receives a text message: I know what you did.

For years, she’s outrun her past, turning away from her friends and her home town. Now her past is about to catch up.    



From the publisher:

Better Luck Next Time by Kate Hilton
It isn’t easy being related to a feminist icon, especially when she’s celebrating the greatest moment of her storied career.

Just ask the daughters of Lydia Hennessey, who could have it all if only they’d stop self-destructing. Mariana, the eldest, is on the verge of throwing away a distinguished reputation in journalism, along with her marriage. Nina, the middle daughter, has returned from a medical mission overseas as a changed woman but won’t discuss it with anyone. And Beata, the youngest, has a hostile teenaged son who just discovered the existence of a father who didn’t know about him either. Meanwhile, their cousin Zoe is making divorce look like a death match, while her brother, Zack, is grappling with the fallout from his popular television dramedy, which is based far too closely on Lydia herself.

It might be easier to find their paths if they could step out of Lydia’s shadow—but the biggest women’s march in history is underway, and Lydia and her family are at the centre of it.

Over the course of an eventful year, the Hennessey children contend with the big struggles of midlife: aging parents, raging teens, crumbling marriages and bodies, new loves and the choice between playing it safe or taking life-altering risks. And as they inch toward a new definition of happiness, they might even persuade their parents—and themselves—that they’re all grown up.

From  Netgalley: 

My Life for Yours by Vanessa Carnevale
Paige and Nick are happy. They have a beautiful home, a loving family and, most importantly, they would do anything for each other. Now, they are having a baby and it feels like all their dreams are coming true.

But joy turns to despair when they discover that Paige has a rare, life-threatening heart condition and they lose their longed-for child. Heartbroken, the couple must accept the reality that they may not become parents after all.

Just as they begin to come to terms with their loss, Paige unexpectedly falls pregnant again. Paige’s heart is still weak, and to carry the baby to term puts them both at risk. The couple now face an impossible decision: Paige’s life or the life of their unborn child?

If Paige keeps the baby, she could lose her life and destroy the man she loves. If Nick tries to stop her, he may lose them both forever. It’s the most important decision they have ever had to make – and time is running out. 

I would love to hear what you received in the mail lately! 

 

 

 
 
 
  

Book Review: Just Desserts by Charlotte Ree

Just Desserts

by

Charlotte Ree

Publisher: Pan Macmillan 
Imprint: Plum
Publication date: 29th October 2019
Genre: Cooking / Non Fiction / Lifestyle
Pages: 144
RRP: $29.99AUD
Format read: Hardcover
Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

 Instagram sensation Charlotte Ree is famous for her simple and delicious sweets ... and her love of puns. Her easy, user-friendly creations are designed to taste amazing, rather than just look pretty (though pretty they most certainly are!).

Just Desserts showcases 30 of Charlotte's most popular and delicious cake, biscuit, slice and dessert recipes in one outrageously gorgeous little package. Featuring essentials, such as chocolate brownies, shortbread caramel slice and chocolate-chip cookies through to show stoppers, such as layered berry pavlova and chocolate ganache & blackberry bundt, Just Desserts is the ideal gift for the baker and sweet-lover in your life - even if that's YOU!

I have a weakness for dessert books. Well, not only the books, I love cooking desserts! Cakes, slices, biscuits, tarts. I have a particular penchant for gorgeous covers and Just Desserts certainly falls into that category.

Charlotte’s book is split into two sections; biscuits, slices, sweets and cakes, bundts, tarts. Thirty of her favourite, no-fuss recipes. Desserts her Grandma made. Many taking less than 30 minutes so you can enjoy sharing your bakes with friends.

Ree includes a simple introduction with tips for cooking and a guide to the basic equipment and baking tins required. The book also includes a handy conversion chart in the back.

There are no fancy over-priced ingredients with most of them already in any well stocked pantry. I had a quick look through all the ingredients and there was only a very small list of items I would need to specially purchase for some of the recipes.

The beautiful and colourful illustrations of wattle, bottlebrush, banksia, waratah and gum leaves throughout the book give it a true Australian flavour. I would like to give a special shout out to Alice Oehr for these gorgeous illustrations. Go check out her website! http://www.aliceoehr.com/

I was already familiar with some recipes in the book and wanted to try something different. The honey madeleines looked easy and delicious. I had all the ingredients at home however I did need to buy a madeleine tin. They proved to be quick and easy. The perfect thing to make when friends drop in.

Charlotte suggests serving them with a dollop of cream but I thought if I left off the cream I could eat more. They certainly were irresistible!

My next bake will be Charlotte’s Chocolate Ganache & Blackberry Bundt Cake.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Photo credit: Pan macmillan

 

Charlotte Ree is an avid baker and recipe developer with an impressive online following. Based in Sydney, Australia, she develops recipes and content for brands such as Marimekko, Kenwood and Williams-Sonoma. When she isn't baking, Charlotte is usually travelling as part of her day job as media and communications manager for a book publisher. Charlotte believes strongly in scratch baking, going back to basics with the classic flavours and techniques that our grandparents perfected. Just Desserts is her first book.

 

 

This review is part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie author challenge

and Australian Women Writers challenge 

 

 

Book Review: Prey by L. A. Larkin

Prey

by

L. A. Larkin

Publisher: Clan Destine Press
Publication date: 20th April 2020
Series: Olivia Wolfe #2
Genre: Crime / Thriller
Pages: 390
Format read: Paperback
Source: Courtesy of the author

 A journalist who travels the world exposing heinous crimes makes enemies. Olivia Wolfe has more than most.

When her anonymous source is murdered, Wolfe must unravel the terrible secret that connects a British Cabinet Minister, a Vietnamese billionaire, and a poor South African teacher to a series of gruesome murders.

Soon Wolfe is hunted by a terrifying assassin. With governments in the balance and the survival of one of the most magnificent creatures on earth in her hands, can Wolfe stay alive long enough to expose this shocking conspiracy?

Prey is the second book in the Olivia Wolfe series by L.A. Larkin.

Olivia Wolfe is an investigative journalist that goes above and beyond the initial hunt for a

good story. She wants truths revealed and criminals outed even if it means putting her own life in danger.

Prey reads quite well as a stand alone however there are mentions of events from the previous book, Devour.

On the trail of what looks like a money laundering operation with a prominent British MP involved, Wolfe heads to South Africa to investigate links to a school Head Master. Det Dan Casburn, a British SO24 officer, is also sent to South Africa to investigate. Casburn warns Wolfe off but she is relentless in her pursuit to uncover this story of corruption.

As her investigations continue, those involved are soon linked to a number of gruesome murders and a psychopathic killer with a fascination for the dark web.

Prey is a grisly tale of corruption, murder, money laundering and animal paoching that spans continents.

Olivia Wolfe is a protagonist not to be messed with and I loved her steel and determination, although I did find myself willing her to give up and go home as my nerves were continually on edge.

Fast paced, chilling and tense, Prey is not for the squeamish.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

 Thriller author, L.A. Larkin, has been described by James Phelan as ‘a world-class thriller writer’ and likened to Michael Crichton by The Guardian and to Alistair MacLean by The Times. Her new novel, PREY, reintroduces the feisty and resourceful investigative journalist Olivia Wolfe who was described by Sue Turnbull in The Age as, ‘a new breed of female heroine bounding into the hitherto masculine preserve of the action thriller.’
Larkin is author of The Genesis Flaw, Thirst, and Devour, and also writes humorous mysteries as Louisa Bennet. 
 

This review is part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie author challenge

and Australian Women Writers challenge  

You can read my review of Devour HERE

Book Club Book Review: Death in the Ladies' Goddess Club by Julian Leatherdale

Death in the Ladies' Goddess Club

by

Julian Leatherdale

Publisher: Allen & Unwin 
Publication date: 3rd March 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction / Mystery
Pages: 400
RRP: $29.99AUD
Format read: Paperback
Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Beauty & Lace Book Club 

 

 In the murky world of Kings Cross in 1932, aspiring crime writer Joan Linderman and her friend and flatmate Bernice Becker live the wild bohemian life, a carnival of parties and fancy-dress artists' balls.

One Saturday night, Joan is thrown headfirst into a real crime when she finds Ellie, her neighbour, murdered. To prove her worth as a crime writer and bring Ellie's killer to justice, Joan secretly investigates the case in the footsteps of Sergeant Lillian Armfield.

But as Joan digs deeper, her list of suspects grows from the luxury apartment blocks of Sydney's rich to the brothels and nightclubs of the Cross's underclass.
Death in the Ladies' Goddess Club is a riveting noir crime thriller with more surprises than even novelist Joan bargained for: blackmail, kidnapping, drug-peddling, a pagan sex cult, undercover cops, and a shocking confession.

After reading the blurb I really thought I would love this story of 1930’s Kings Cross. The Cross had such an eclectic mix of people in its community in the 30’s. Living as neighbours were showgirls, prostitutes, the well to do, those down on their luck, artists, gays, transvestites and the bohemian set. This mix gives for some great story telling.

Julian Leatherdale centres his story on the ideals and philosophies of the bohemian artist groups of the time. Although a purely fictional tale there are mentions of some of the greats of the era and a few historical events of note at that time.

Joan Linderman, a journalist and wannabe crime writer, falls in with the bohemians and their drugs, sex and alcohol parties via flamboyant flatmate Bernice, a successful novelist and poet.

When a tenant at their boarding house is found murdered, Joan decides to start her own investigation and at the same time collect ideas for her crime novel.

Death in the Ladies’ Goddess Club is largely a character driven story and I felt the murder mystery played second fiddle to the politics of the time and the sex, drugs, partying and dark underbelly of the cross.

I felt the end wrapped up too neatly and the twist was so left field it left me dazed.

Death in the Ladies’ Goddess Club will appeal to Historical Fiction readers who enjoy the true historical side of the genre.

⭐⭐⭐

Photo credit: Goodreads

 Julian Leatherdale’s first love was the theatre. On graduation from a theatre studies degree at the University of NSW, he wrote lyrics for four satirical cabarets and a two-act musical. He discovered a passion for popular history as a staff writer, researcher and photo editor for Time-Life’s Australians At War series. He later researched and co-wrote two Film Australia-ABC documentaries Return to Sandakan and The Forgotten Force shown on the ABC and overseas. He was an image researcher at the State Library of NSW before joining the NSW Cabinet Office writing policy briefs for the Premier. For some years he was the public relations manager for an international hotel school in the Blue Mountain. 
Julian sadly passed away on 22nd April 2020 after a short illness.

This review is from the Beauty & Lace Book Club 

@beautyandlacemag #beautyandlacebookclub 

and part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie author challenge

#AussieAuthor20

 

The winner of a copy of The Coconut Rebellion announced!

Once again I would like to thank everyone who entered my giveaway for a copy of The Coconut Rebellion . The giveaway closed on the 24th May and the winner was randomly selected (using Random org) from all correct entries. 


Congratulations to........   Tracey.

Please see my Giveaway tab for more chances to win great books.

Book Review: The Edible Garden Cookbook and Growing Guide.by Paul West

The Edible Garden Cookbook and Growing Guide

by

Paul West

Publisher: Pan Macmillan 
Imprint: Plum
Publication date: 24th September 2019
Genre: Lifestyle / Gardening
Pages: 304
RRP: $39.99AUD
Format read: Paperback
Source: Courtesy of the publisher

For Paul West, a meaningful life is one built around food and community. In The Edible Garden Cookbook & Growing Guide , Paul shows you how easy it is to grow and cook some of your own food, no matter how much space you have.

The Edible Garden Cookbook & Growing Guide is a celebration of real food and vibrant community. It will inspire you to grow, cook and eat with those you love - and find real meaning along the way.  

Did you find yourself, a few months ago, standing in an empty supermarket wondering how you were going to feed your family? Me too!

Why do we leave ourselves at the mercy of panic buyers when it is so easy to grow your own vegetables?

The Edible Garden by Paul West, host of River Cottage Australia, is a guide to growing your own edible garden. This 304 page book is filled with glorious colour photos and over 50 easy to follow and healthy recipes with pictures of the finished product. I always like that finished product photo, it gives me a good idea of what my meal is supposed to look like.

Paul gives us gardens for the space poor, gardens for the time poor, micro gardens and community gardens. With chapters on worm farms, composting, keeping chooks and keeping bees, what to plant where and when. Paul has a big focus on food and community in chapters on hosting a pickle party, brewing your own beer and building a wood fire barbecue.

With bookmark flaps on the front and back cover this is one coffee table book you will find yourself turning to again and again for recipes to feed your family wholesome, easy to cook meals.

My husband and I both grew up in families where there was always a large supply of vegetables and eggs in our own backyards. We had tried gardens over the years but the possums usually beat us to the produce.

This time we decided to put the garden close to the house and used raised planters which could be filled with good quality soil.

Our garden is going well and we have had more hits than misses. It’s very much trial and error at the moment but we have started to enjoy some of the produce we have grown.

The Edible Garden Cookbook and Growing Guide has gone a long way in increasing our confidence in choosing products for the local temperature and time of year.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Paul West is a trained chef, a passionate gardener, farmer and popular media personality. Paul hosted four seasons of River Cottage Australia (Foxtel and SBS), is the author of The River Cottage Australia Cookbook and has a regular slot on ABC radio and ABC television's Gardening Australia. After hosting River Cottage Australia in beautiful Central Tilba, Paul and his family swapped their 20-acre NSW South Coast property for a city life in Thornbury, in Melbourne's inner north turning a suburban backyard plot into a productive patch.  

 This review is part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie author challenge