The Lemon Tree Cafe ~ By Cathy Bramley

The Blurb...

Rosie Featherstone loves her high-flying job at a social media firm. So what if she isn't married and settled like her sister? A relationship would only get in the way of this workaholic's hectic schedule.

So when she unexpectedly finds herself at a loose end for a month, Rosie keeps busy by helping her Italian Nonna serve espressos and biscotti at the Lemon Tree Cafe, a little slice of Italy nestled in the rolling hills of Derbyshire.

However, just when it seems she ought to head back to reality the appearance of an old acquaintance and a budding romance makes life at the cafe a lot more appetizing...

Recently Read ~ Watership Down

I remember watching some Watership Down when I was  child. I was pretty traumatised to be honest. The animation was scary, the fight scenes were gory and it's safe to say I was far too delicate to be watching something like that given I was surrounded by rabbits, fish, guinea pigs, ducks, horses, cats and dogs. I didn't really want to see all of that on the television. I was never given a copy nor had the book read to me and never thought about it until a month ago when a copy turned up in the post from my boyfriend who adores the book.

The book was nothing like I imagined. It's certainly not a children's book which is what many people said to me. In fact, it's nothing like the animation at all. Of course it's detailed and your imagination doesn't need much encouragement to imagine the well detailed scenes throughout the chapters but as I read the book I didn't see big shaggy bunnies with red eyes, I felt a connection to the characters and pictured actual rabbits making their way across dangerous lands, fighting, helping each other and so much more.

I massively identified with Pipkin. So loyal and kind and quiet but a bright bunny who has plenty to say when asked. I feel like that's me. I loved the change in the characters from the start to the finish. I love how you could easily give these characters different names and a human form and you'd be reading the same book. It teaches us so much about society, about loyalty, faith, death, will power, courage.

Have you read the book? A lot of people have told me they haven't because of the animation but the book is amazingly well written and you can't put it down, there's so much action, you're on edge more and more as the novel goes on.

Who knew bunnies could make you feel so strongly about, well, anything! They're so not silly little fluffy things I know that much now!

I'M WRECKED, THIS IS MY JOURNAL ~ An Alternative Baby Record Book Review

Hello all, I've got a great book for you all today. Have a peek at this alternative baby record book by Shannon Cullen which I was kindly sent to review by Michael O'Mara Books, thanks guys!

About the book:

Entertaining, honest and occasionally messy, I’m Wrecked, This Is My Journal is packed full of lists, quotations, doodles and more. Ideal for all frazzled new parents, this is the perfect companion for all those odd thoughts, bizarre expectations and the real-life experiences of being a parent during the roller-coaster first year with your baby. Whether you’re looking for gin in the word search or playing parenting bingo, this frank, witty book will raise a smile as you embark on the extraordinary – and often chaotic – journey into parenthood.

What Did I Think?

If you're a fan of Wreck This Journal then this book will be right up your street. You'll also enjoy it if you enjoy doodling, colouring and have a sense of humor! You honestly don't need to be a new parent either! Obviously it helps with some bits of the book but mostly it's humorous record keeping of being a parent to your little...erm cherubs! I have a 9 and 6 year old and have had GREAT fun looking through the book and have filled in most of it already!

My take on a welcome to parenting card!

A taster of what you'll find in the book from Amazon

I'm Wrecked, This Is My Journal is now available to buy from Amazon priced currently at £6.99, a fantastic book to buy for new parents or keep for yourself. I personally think I could fill mine and pass it on so a friend or relative knows what they're in for! Move over Gina Ford, here's how it really goes down!

Cupcake Mumma

One Little Mistake by Emma Curtis: Book Review

The Blurb

YOU TRUSTED YOUR BEST FRIEND . . . YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE.

Vicky Seagrave is blessed: three beautiful children, a successful, doting husband, great friends and a job she loves. She should be perfectly happy.
When she makes a split-second decision that risks everything she holds dear, there's only person she trusts enough to turn to.
But Vicky is about to learn that one mistake is all it takes; that if you're careless with those you love, you don't deserve to keep them . . .

My Thoughts

Not my usual book to pick up but always up for a challenge I opened up my review copy of One Little Mistake

Slow to start I wondered if this story would be another girly housewives terrible affair gone wrong with something a bit edgy thrown in. I was wrong. Gladly wrong. By chapter 6/7, so not that far in, I wanted to find out where this book was going. It was obvious to me at least one character was linked to the beginning and continuing chapters throughout the book where you visit their past. A pretty dark and troubled past. Throughout the book I was kept guessing until Curtis allows you to click every piece together leading you to that rare 'I can not and will not put this book down until I see how it ends' moment.

I found myself constantly between feelings for the main characters Amber, Tom and Vicky. I was frustrated, irritated and even felt sympathy for each one. The one character you expect not much from is Maggie, Vicky's mother. She has an interesting past, especially where men are concerned; but her story is so much more and what starts as a minor character you pay little attention to, slowly becomes a more interesting and important character.

Overall, One Little Mistake is one good book I'd recommend. If you're into more gritty psychological novels this could be a little tame but I'd still give it a go. For me it was just perfect. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of twists and turns, there's manipulation, there's blood and heart in your mouth moments but it's not too over the top (I can't read crime novels for example, there's too much detailed violence for my liking) Emma Curtis does a wonderful job with each character, I still don't know how I feel about main character Amber but I think I feel more towards her than one would expect and dislike Maggie more than I thought I would which is a total reverse on how I started the book.

Read One little mistake (which you can purchase as an e-book from Amazon here and as paperback from 15th June 2017) and let me know what you think. One things for sure, I'm pretty paranoid about the things my best friend knows about me now!

Cupcake Mumma

About The Author

Emma Curtis was born in Brighton and brought up in London. Her fascination with the darker side of domestic life inspired her to write One Little Mistake, her first psychological suspense. She has two children and lives in Richmond with her husband.

Find her on Twitter: @emmacurtisbooks

With thanks to Rosie Margesson for providing a copy of One Little Mistake for this review. Make sure you check out the rest of the book tour!

The Adventures of the Wishing Chair By Enid Blyton ~ Review

So the other day I wrote about introducing Little A to the world of poetry (a great success!) and now I want to share with you Midge's book from The Book People: The Adventures of the Wishing Chair written by Enid Blyton. I wanted to show Midge some of the books that I read when I was a little girl from famous authors. After just finishing Matilda by Roald Dahl and both enjoying it again very much, I chose this book by Enid Blyton for our bedtime reading.

Midge has been really trying with her reading lately and enjoying it so much. She's been reading her own books at home and gaining confidence. If you have a confident reader this book will be no problem with them, Midge read a few pages and was very surprised to learn she was actually able to read a 'big book.' Mostly though we shared the story together at bedtime with me reading to her. There are some larger words in this book that at 7 years old she hasn't come across yet in school, which is always good. 

What we love about this book as well is that although the front cover is a very modern illustration the inside is full of wonderful old style illustrations in every chapter.

Overall this book gets a 5 out of 5 from Midge!

Cupcake Mumma