Thoughts of the Week Rebecca Well, here in the UK, we are finally seeing light at the end of what has been a long, dark tunnel. Our children are going back to school on or around 8th March and, though most of them will be subject to regular COVID testing, at least things will start to seem more normal. I found homeschooling my youngest particularly stressful - if I don't see another "White Rose Maths" sheet again, I'll consider my life close to a new paradise! During this season of Lent, as a family, we all give something up and it is another opportunity to step back and be grateful for all the blessings in our lives. It made me smile, when we discussed the traditional treat they get at Easter, and the children all chose to go shopping (when allowed) at The Trafford Centre (a huge mall/shopping centre in Manchester). It shows how much they have missed going out and doing things as simple as visiting shops during this last lockdown. Something that really made me appreciate what I have this week was a reminder of the daily struggles and pain a friend of mine's son goes through. Rhys was born with a condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa and he has the most severe form. Essentially, his skin lacks the bonding gene that everyone else has and it means that it peels and blisters at even the slightest touch. I imagine that it must be like being burned all the time but never being able to heal. It is heartbreaking, I know, and I hope this isn't too distressing to read about. His family and friends are currently raising money for a summerhouse so that he will be able to make use of a hot tub outside, that will hopefully give him some relief from his condition (Rhys can develop painful blisters in his eyes just from being in the sun). You can find out more about him from a recent newspaper article HERE. I do try to give more to charity during Lent and I hope you don't mind me mentioning his appeal here. Please don't feel obliged but, if you feel so moved, you can contribute to his GoFundMe page by clicking HERE |
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Get stuck into a good book! We could all still do with escaping reality for a while, and what better way of doing that, than getting stuck into a good book? It doesn’t necessarily have to be a solo activity, either, so why not create a virtual book club over Zoom or Facetime with friends and family, and have a regular chat to discuss the books you’ve been reading? It’s inevitable that you will go off on a tangent and end up chatting about other things, but it’s a lovely way to build a small, supportive community around you during what are still very demanding times. So, why not take a look at these collections? And, best of all, many of them are FREE! Just click on your chosen banner below! As an added bonus, click HERE to be entered into a draw to win a FREE E-reader! |
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What we're Reading this Week Rebecca Do Over Rules by Jenna Gunn I liked the fact that the heroine in this story has an unusual job as an acrobat - I've not come across this in a book before and it added an appealing dimension to her character. This book is the 4th in the Archer series but can be happily read as a standalone. After 3 years divorced, Bishop bumps into Mia, his ex-wife, who left him devastated when she ran out on him - she has come back with a surprise, his son Bruno. He is angry with her because she divorced him, convinced he was cheating on her, when he knows he is innocent. Things come to light and, along with the sizzling love story, there is a very entertaining, suspenseful sequence of events that help Bishop and Mia get to their Happy Ever After. You can find this book on Amazon FREE with Kindle Unlimited and only $0.99 or £0.77 to buy! Just click HERE or on the book cover below. |
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What we're Reading this Week Victoria Things are still very challenging at the moment but I do like this time of year...the crisp air, the stark (but often beautiful) scenery and the cosy evenings. During this season, a good book can often cheer me up and, perversely perhaps, sinister or suspenseful stories can actually do the trick - preferably read from underneath a blanket, by a fire, with a cup of something warming to hand. These two books look like they are just the ticket! |
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| | This book appealed to me as it has an intriguing theme of a dysfunctional couple struggling to salvage their bond combined with a spooky cabin in the woods. What more could you ask for? Seb is an asshole. Katie is an angel.
When Seb's night-time activity stretches their relationship to its limits, the couple decide to take a last-chance holiday to see if there's anything left to be fixed.
The cabin looked idyllic, but behind the soft furnishings and fluffy throws there's a creeping sense of unease.
They thought they were fighting for their relationship - will they end up fighting for their lives? It already has some great reviews and I am really looking forward to reading it. | | |
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| | I have started "Take Down" and the main character is already reminding me of similar 'rough and ready' characters who get trapped in perilous situations, like Jack Reacher (Lee Child) and Aloysius Archer (David Baldacci). When a pair of crazed gunmen take a bank full of hostages, off-duty cop Jack Lisbon finds himself caught up in a terrifying siege. Armed with only his wits, can the ex-boxer policeman hold his nerve and defuse a potential disaster? Or will he crack under the pressure and risk the lives of innocent people? Hold on for a turbo-charged ride! If you like gritty crime stories with a vigilante justice flavor, you'll love Jack Lisbon. Pulp Fiction meets Dog Day Afternoon It is a short story but it gives you a great introduction to the author's writing and, you've nothing to lose, as it's FREE! | | |
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