Z takes us to

I can hardly believe that I managed to read my way around the world, stopping off at some amazing places thanks to some wonderful books - it's been an adventure. For our last stop, what better place to finish than in Zante (Zakinthos) with Isabelle Broom's 'My map of you.'

Holly Wright has had a difficult few years. After her mother's death, she's become expert at keeping people at a distance - including her boyfriend, Rupert.
But when Holly receives an unexpected letter explaining that an aunt she never met has left her a house on the Greek island of Zakynthos, the walls she has built begin to crumble. Arriving on the island, Holly meets the handsome Aidan and slowly begins to uncover the truth about the secret which tore her family apart.
But is the island where Holly really belongs? Or will her real life catch up with her first?

I was attracted to this book for two reasons, firstly it's set in my beloved Greece so immediately grabbed my attention and secondly the premise sounded good too. I wasn't disappointed on either count. This is a lovely read set on Zante ( Zakynthos) and if you haven't been there then this book will go a long way towards you choosing it as your next holiday destination. I loved the characters and the way in which the story developed. There was no sudden ending either but everything played out in its own time. I won't give any spoilers but it's more than just a chicklit book with a HEA - it's moving, sad in parts yet uplifting. A great holiday read at any time of year - don't save it for your holiday, read it now and escape the winter.

Many thanks if you're been following the blog. May you travel to some wonderful places in 2018.

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

Y is for

 Yorkshire, my homeland, is our next destination courtesy of Sara Alexi. We embark in a different direction to her habitual Greece as we follow up on Septic Cyril. I loved the story of Dawn and her relationship with her mother and sister in The other daughter, So much of this story resonated with me as I'm sure it will with other readers. With Sara's easy to read style, at first glance you might think this is just a simple story yet, as with all her books, there are so many issues that lie just below the surface such as how love and hate are just facets of the same coin. I felt drawn into Dawn's world, felt her frustration at the thought that her mother preferred her other sister to her and didn't support her, sympathised with her feelings that she hadn't accomplished much in her life and admired her love for her mother despite the difficulties. I'm sure that pretty soon we will have the Yorkshire village series and I loved catching up with Cyril and his neighbours as seen though Dawn's eyes.



More than a decade after leaving home Dawn finds herself stuck in a dead-end job, in a rundown flat, while her sister has it all - the husband, children and prestigious job in sunny Australia. Their mum’s favouritism is palpable, and even as she has a terrible fall leaving Dawn to pick up the pieces, nothing Dawn does can live up to her perfect, absent sister. 

But still Dawn persists with taking care of her aging and fragile mum, until one day it begins to feel like the only thing standing between Dawn and her happiness is her mother's continued, pitiful existence...

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