R takes us to Rome

Rome is our destination this week and what better to whet our travel tastebuds than "From Rome with love' by Jules Wake.

Rome is the city of love and seduction, right? Not if you find yourself staying in a beautiful apartment with your childhood-friend-turned-arch-enemy, Will Ryan…no matter how hot he is!

Romance is the last thing on Lisa’s mind. She’s got more important things to focus on, like hunting down her estranged father. Except when her search falls at the first hurdle, Will doesn’t just help her get back on track, he also shares the romantic sights – and exquisite tastes – of the Eternal City, and Lisa starts to wonder if it’s not just Rome seducing her.

Only, as Lisa and Will dig into the past, neither of them is prepared for the long-buried secrets they reveal. Secrets that will turn both their world’s upside down …

Jules Wake manages to convey the atmosphere of actually being in Rome even if you've never visited. Add some super characters, a romance with a conflict ( and boy what a conflict when the twist appears) and you have a wonderful read. My favourite kind of book combines a good story with escapism preferably set in a foreign location and "From Rome with love' has this in bucketfuls. It also gives a few cultural tips should you actually be able to visit for real. Very enjoyable and after being immersed for a couple of hours was a tad surprised when I surfaced to find myself still in the UK!

Julie Ryan is the author of the Greek Island mystery series, Jenna's Journey, Sophia's Secret and Pandora's Prophecy. You can find out more about her here

https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00F0VYX34

Q is for Quebec

Clara Morrow's husband is missing. When he fails to come home on the first anniversary of their separation, as promised, Clara asks the only person she trusts to try and find him: former Chief Inspector of Homicide, Armand Gamache. 

As Gamache journeys further into the case, he is drawn deeper into the tortured mind of Peter Morrow, a man so desperate to recapture his fame as an artist that he would sell his soul. As Gamache gets closer to the truth, he uncovers a deadly trail of jealousy and deceit. Can Gamache bring Peter, and himself, home safely? Or in searching for answers, has he placed himself, and those closest to him, in terrible danger?

I've had Canada on my 'must visit' list for quite a while now after recommendations from several friends. After reading this book, it sounds as if the scenery alone is to die for - pun intended! So with my love of all things french, I think Quebec must be a wonderful place to visit. For now sadly it will only be through the medium of this book.

In 'The long way home' Louise Penny skilfully draws us into quebecois life yet this book is so much more. On one level it's about a missing person yet it soon becomes clear that Art, the meaning of life, success,power, guilt are all subplots that add to the whole. A fascinating book, the tenth in the series, yet easily read as a standalone - although now I desperately want to read the others to find out exactly what brought Armand Gamache to the place he is in at the start of the book. Very cleverly written.

Julie Ryan is the author of the Greek Island mystery series, Jenna's Journey, Sophia's Secret and Pandora's Prophecy. You can find out more about her here

https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00F0VYX34

P takes us to the fictional village of Pendruggan

We're off to a fictional village on our world tour this week; the village of Pendruggan in Cornwall in Fern Britton's 'A Cornish gift'.

Christmas comes to the little village of Pendruggan and Cornwall’s very own Mr Rochester, Piran Ambrose, discovers the true meaning of the festive season when even he can’t resist the village celebrations. Meanwhile, best friends Penny and Helen are embarking on a stolen weekend of blissful indulgence but best laid plans often go awry and the ladies are in for a big surprise. In an idyllic cottage on the Cornish cliffs, the Appleby family and their bearded collie, Molly, are having a holiday to remember. It’s time for a little Cornish escape for all.

This is a lovely collection of stories all centred around the fictional village of Pendruggan in Cornwall. There is quite a bit of back story included so even if you haven't read any of the other books, you can still follow the stories. I loved finding out more about some of the characters from 'The Postcard' as well as some of Penny's colleagues. Piran as a modern day Scrooge is also a great twist. This book is great to dip in and out of yet together provides a satisfying completeness as you realise they are not just random stories but add to the Cornish flavour of the last book.

Julie Ryan is the author of the Greek Island mystery series, Jenna's Journey, Sophia's Secret and Pandora's Prophecy. You can find out more about her here

https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00F0VYX34

O is for ...

Inspired by Algeria, the place where Albert Camus was born, today we're visiting Oran courtesy of 'The Outsider'. I first studied this book for 'A' Level French and decided it was about time I reread it - almost forty years later. I was surprised that although I remembered the main themes and events, I had very little recollection of the build up to the murder. Surprising how selective our memory can be? It is still thought provoking and the mastery of language is wonderful; the descriptions of the hot sun, the beach, the feeling of isolation as Meursault is condemned essentially for not showing emotion. if anything I think the passage of time has made me appreciate the book even more.

                                             

Meursault will not pretend. After the death of his mother, everyone is shocked when he shows no sadness. And when he commits a random act of violence in Algiers, society is baffled. Why would this seemingly law-abiding bachelor do such a thing? And why does he show no remorse even when it could save his life? His refusal to satisfy the feelings of others only increases his guilt in the eyes of the law. Soon Meursault discovers that he is being tried not simply for his crime, but for his lack of emotion - a reaction that condemns him for being an outsider. For Meursault, this is an insult to his reason and a betrayal of his hopes; for Camus it encapsulates the absurdity of life.

If you are interested in 'The Outsider' then 'The Meursault Investigation'  might also be of interest. It tells the story of the dead Arab's brother and the repercussions of his murder.

Julie Ryan is the author of the Greek Island mystery series, Jenna's Journey, Sophia's Secret and Pandora's Prophecy. You can find out more about her here

https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00F0VYX34

N takes us to Notting Hill

If it's October then it must be time for the first of our Christmas reads. This one by Mandy Baggot takes us to Notting Hill.

Imagine the perfect Christmas Kiss…

His strong arms around her waist, her hands on his face, the snow slowly starts to fall…

It’s enough to make Isla Winters cringe! While her sister can’t get enough of this – increasingly common – sight on the streets of London, Isla’s too busy trying to stop Hannah’s wheelchair from slipping on the ice, and making sure she’s not too late to her dream job at Breekers International. 

But everything changes with the arrival of Chase Bryan, fresh from the New York office. He’s eager to learn everything about Isla’s beloved Notting Hill, but as the nights get colder, will cosying up to him come at a price?

A lovely book to get you in the mood for Christmas. Loved the theme of Hannah seeking her Christmas kiss in Notting Hill and Raj is a brilliant creation. To be honest I found the subplot of their romance more interesting than that of Isla and Chase, which seemed a bit contrived at times. Nevertheless the book will leave you with a nice warm feeling inside even when it's freezing outside. The London Eye ( i-circle) scene is memorable and Chase's two daughters will ring true for anyone with teenagers. Well worth a read.

Julie Ryan is the author of the Greek Island mystery series, Jenna's Journey, Sophia's Secret and Pandora's Prophecy. You can find out more about her here

https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00F0VYX34

M is for the Mediterranean

I can't resist books set in the Mediterranean so this book was an easy choice being set in Paris and of course the South of France.

May 1968 and Paris is hot with rebellion, passion and hope, as protestors clash with the riot police. Brilliant art student Laure stands boldly on the barricades, heady with her new-found defiance, and is swept into romance with Lolo, the fascinating student leader. But youthful rebellion comes at a cost.


Set against the student uprising in Paris in the 1960s this book immerses the reader in another world. No sooner are we immersed n this world than we are transported to a rural idyll in the South of France; an escape from the frenzy of the capital. There are a few surprises on the way but I enjoyed this intelligent summer read. The descriptions of both locations are exquisite and it is easy to empathise with the protagonist.Some nice little touches too such as the father's bakery and the background of the main character's childhood friend.


Julie Ryan is the author of the Greek Island mystery series, Jenna's Journey, Sophia's Secret and Pandora's Prophecy. You can find out more about her here

https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00F0VYX34