Book Review: Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh, much better than the previous book. I loved being back inside Sookie's head. Lots of action and humour.

Sometimes I do wonder if Charlaine Harris introduces too many characters, because you do have to remember who they all are. But this being her last book in the series, I suppose she wanted to give all her favourite characters a mention.

I don't really want to say too much about this book, in case I leave a spoiler, but this book finished Sookie's story how I wanted it to. So it left me feeling happy and contented. I won't say why... you'll have to read it for yourself.

These books have been perfect brain candy. Light and dark. Sexy and fun. I've enjoyed the series thoroughly.

I have to share this from the book - this is the kind of humour I like, with the characters in grave danger...

"She [Amelia] wondered if she could cast a stunning spell without any herbs or preparation. It wasn't like in the Harry Potter books, though she and every other witch of her acquaintance had often wished it were."

I'm tempted to give this five stars just because Charlaine Harris didn't disappoint me with her ending.


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Summer Holiday Antics Day 3

Day 3: Monday 27 May 2013: Rain Rain Go Away

Monday was the worst day for weather. Of course it was, it was a Bank Holiday Monday.

I don't really have many photos. Who takes photo in the rain?

Dad and I took the boys for a walk (well, they cycled, we walked) around to Daymer Bay as we thought we'd beat the rain. Apparently not. We got soaked!

After some dry clothes and lunch in the caravan, and some board games played, I took the boys over to the club house. They played pool, air hockey, football and a few other arcade games, while I drank Bud. Well, I was on holiday.

I also abused the WiFi while I was there and updated Facebook etc.

In the evening we all settled down to watch Spring Watch. Luckily, that was the last we saw of the rain. We heard it in the night a couple of times... but didn't see any again.

Summer Holiday Antics Day 2

Day 2: Sunday 26th May - Sand Spaceships and Cold Feet

We woke up to sunshine on the Sunday, so it was a day spent on the beach. Out of that chilly wind, it was quite warm.

Grandad Ron treated both the boys to new wetsuits. I thought he was only going to buy one for Ben, as he needed a new one, but Kieran came back wearing one too. Dad's idea was that *hopefully* if they were both warm on the beach, he'd get a bit of a break as they'd go off and play happily together. Hmmm....

Proof I am actually here, too.

That day involved a lot of surfing, boat building (of sorts, as they built a spaceship rather than a boat) and cricket. The boys were a lot warmer though... unfortunately Dad and I were not. How was I supposed to tan my arms up if I had my cardie on? I know... I'll hide in my tent...

The lovely thing about the beach is that kids will just come and join in. A little boy, although older than Ben and therefore bigger, jumped in with the boys as the tide battled against the sand spaceship, enjoying the fun, too. I love how kids can do this. Unfortunately we didn't really see much of Paddy and Freddy as we were further up the beach.

Space ship - before!

Later, we (Dad and I - Mum had sloped off back to the caravan) did match Ben and Kieran. With high tide approaching around tea time again, and the boys wanting to surf, we donned our wetsuits too. I can't believe I managed to fit into mine after all these years. (I'm not sharing the photo. lol!) I wouldn't have fitted in it two years ago! (Must keep up with the running.)

The water was so cold this year that the wetsuits allowed us to stand in the water with the kids for longer. Don't get me wrong, the water is usually cold, but it felt colder this year because it hasn't had a chance to warm up with the horrid weather we've had. Our feet were like blocks of ice. The rest of us was warm watching the boys surf, but we couldn't feel our feet.

Space ship - after! 

Ending the day with some surfin'.

Book Review: Dream A Little Dream by Sue Moorcroft

Dream a Little Dream by Sue Moorcroft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On the front cover, Katie Fforde says, "I love all of Sue Moorcroft's books." Can I ditto that?

I've read all of Sue's Choc Lit novels and although this may not be quite my favourite - still in love with Ratty in Starting Over - this book doesn't disappoint.

Dominic Christy is a very strong, sexy male, and determined to get what he wants, including Liza Reece.

Liza has a warm heart, but Dominic needs to break through the tough shield she's put around her, a fear that she's not good in relationships.

Don't like to say too much as I don't want to give away spoilers. But if you're looking for a fresh voice, and a bit of romance, I recommend this book. Sue has a great way of making her characters feel very real, giving them plenty of ups and downs to tackle.


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Summer Holiday Blog Post Day 1

I thought I would record each day of my family holiday in Polzeath, Cornwall, on my blog. I'll cover one day per blog post. But it would be nice to record my memories and share them with you, if you're interested in reading. I travelled with the boys and my mum, and my dad met us down there. He was already there camping.

Day 1: Saturday 25th May 2013 - Our Arrival

Ben helping unload the car!

Mum and I were up at 5.15am and the boys woke promptly too. Actually, Ben was awake at 3am but realised that was too early and thankfully went back to sleep.

Ben ready for building boats.

We washed, dressed and headed off in our cars - after I'd checked the house a thousand times - for fear of hitting half term/bank holiday traffic. We were on the M5 at 6am and it was quiet. Funnily enough, we were following two Weston Recovery trucks and they went onto the M5 South bound carriage up the wrong way, i.e. heading North. On Monday, the Sun newspaper reported an accident that had happened in the early hours of the morning, which is why the motorway wasn't as busy.

With fantastic light traffic - still can't believe how smooth the drive was - we arrived into Polzeath, after a half hour stop at Honiton for breakfast at McDonalds, 9am on the dot. Our caravan was ready which was a bonus. Mum and I were unpacked by 10.30am. Bringing the boys' bikes was a godsend - it kept them amused while we sorted the caravan. After lunch, we headed down to the beach for the afternoon.

Cold Kieran helping Grandad

Dad found us down there, and as the tide was coming in, we were building boats before we knew it, ready to take on the oncoming tide.

Every year we seem to meet the same family on the beach, who I think do come from Bristol way. Their son, Paddy, is the same age as Kieran. And his brother, Freddy, has grown considering he was a baby when we first met him. Their mum was commenting on how my two had shot up! I was thinking the same about her boys. Sadly, I only have photos with Freddy in.

We spent the early evening on the beach making the most of the high tide. Kids joining forces in their fight against the tide and whether their castle would last.

What a fun packed day, considering it was our 'travelling' day. Really good start to the holiday with sunshine, surf and sand. And the wind. Still the cold wind...

Ben and Freddy, tide's coming!

The boys ended the evening after having pizza for tea, by finding Paddy and playing football with him in the caravan/camp site. Ben is loving being 8 and having some freedom. I still worry though.

Oh, dear, no chance of beating the sea.

Brothers working together.

Lastly, I can't believe how lovely this photo came out.  It's around 5.30pm and looks a lot warmer than it actually was.