REVIEW - KNOT MY TYPE - liberating!

Knot My Type by Evie Mitchell

Date read: 8th May 2022

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Accessible Romance With a Hint of Kink 

Buy link: Amazon 

I love that the heroine (Frankie) is an intelligent, independent woman who happens to be a wheelchair user. And she tries to empower others through her podcast.

The love interest (Jay) is a good-looking lumberjack who is handily to be into rope play; just the expertise Frankie needs for a podcast episode.

He taches accessible kink classes, so never sees Frankie’s disability as a ‘problem’ – hoorah!

However, everything is just a bit too easy. They have a major spat for 48 hours, but thanks to Frankie’s psychology training, she sees through his BS. But... it’s her friends who have to intervene. I think this is the niggly point for me.

However, I was gripped and whizzed through this book in next to no time. A fun, romantic read with a hint of kink.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - This Changes Everything - but love changes not

This Changes Everything by Helen McGinn

Date read: 20th March 2021

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Wistful family romance

Buy link: Amazon 

This author is better known to me as the cheerful wine expert who appears on TV's Saturday Kitchen. I was sort of hoping the wine choices would illustrate the story's progress more than it does tbh - but that was just me being geeky and unfair. 

This is a really lovely story. The main focus is on a couple in their sixties, which is refreshing.

Julia's two grown-up daughters follow her to Rome, fearful she's going to leap into another impromptu marriage. We are treated to a beautiful tour of the city as a result - sights, sounds and flavours. However, not everything is quite as palatable as the girls find out more than they had bargained for. 

No spoilers, but as the story unfolds from there, it gets more and more emotional. I'm not afraid to admit I cried. 

Not only do we get to 'see' Rome, but Cornwall gets a good viewing too, complete with crashing waves. 

It's a gentle saunter through a difficult topic. Very well written - hard to believe this is a debut novel. 

Just delightful!

Always in love and light,

TL

READING PREFERENCE - Which is best - paperback or Kindle / ebooks?

This blog post is being written at the request of Melanie on my Facebook author page
But it is a question so often asked across all social media I'm surprised I've not actually written about it here before.

So, do you prefer ebooks or hard copies (paperback or hardback)?
Each has pros and cons...

Let us begin with ebooks:

Pros

Very portable - can take hundreds of books anywhere in one light device
Ebooks tend to be cheaper as there's lower production costs
Perhaps a greater variety - most indie authors tend to try out books in this format first
Can be read in most light conditions - Many have adjustable backlights & anti-glare screens
Discretion - nobody can tell what you're reading
Easily downloads - no waiting, download and read

Cons
The initial device can be costly
Battery which needs to be recharged sometimes
You don't get to see the pretty book cover after purchase
Doesn't have the classic smell and feel of a book

Paperbacks:

Pros

That smell! Is there anything quite like it?
The feel - you pick it up and leaf through the pages, a physical connection
Can be displayed proudly on your bookshelf
Secondhand bookshops can be a treasure trove, you excitedly search through

Cons

Usually more expensive
Widely available paperbacks tend to be offered by mainstream authors; limiting your choice
People can see what you're reading
Weighty - if you want to take some on holiday, they take up space and weight in your luggage

Hardbacks:

Pros
Prestige - let's face it, they are good for showing off with
Look even better on your bookshelf

Cons
Very expensive
Quite cumbersome to read

Now, it could be argued that paper degrades over time. You may lose your precious book to mites and dust, particularly if you have an old hardback.

However, although ebooks have an online store, where they may be deemed safer, what happens in the event of an EMP type thing? If all our electronics are suddenly wiped out, what happens to these precious tomes?

But paper can be burned. Civilisations have almost been lost to history in hostile times. House fires have claimed libraries and books.

So, is it better not to put all your eggs in one basket?
Perhaps a little of both is really for the best?

And at the end of the day, is the most important thing not just that you read?
All books have the magick ability of transporting you away from modern life and into a whole new world.
Let us not quibble over one way or another. Let's just pick up whichever type of book we most cherish, and read.

Do feel free to state your preference and reasons in the comments. It's always good to have friendly discussion.

Always in love and light,

TL

By the way, my latest book will be available in both paperback and ebook.
*Available for now from Amazon , all good online stores , Waterstones and Barnes&Noble

Hello from Joe (meet the book boys)

Hello, what d'ya know, from Joe. 

I really wish I'd gone first. I feel like an old geezer after following those young chaps. 

In my youth I was athletic, I played football (soccer to any Americans reading) and I had big plans to make that my career. 

Funny how life turns out. You have all these dreams when you're young, and you just 'know' they're all going to come true. But they don't.

I had it all before me. I had Sophie.

Sophie; she was wonderful. I doted on that girl. She was a passionate and fiery and not afraid of anything. 

She would sit on the back of my Cub (Honda C50 moped) and we felt like we were going places. 

Now I'm a lonely old divorcee with more flab than fitness. 

My once dark hair now matches my grey eyes. 

Just vote for one of the other guys, I'll understand. I can't compete with them.

I think TL only asked me to write something so I didn't feel left out. Bless her, I think she feels sorry for me. 

The sexiest thing about me now is my BMW R1200 motorbike, and even that's not overly sexy. It's not exactly a Ducati. 

The thing I'm proudest of in my life is my daughter, Chloe. She's fantastic. I have no idea how I made her. 

So, I'm a physio for a football club, so I can give you a good massage. Is that sexy?

Go read Rekindled Love. I'm sure Sophie must still be sexy and scintillating. 

Don't forget to check out the quotes on TL's Facebook page

I think she's planning on putting voting options up on there soon, so make sure you follow her so you don't miss out on that.

Ciao from Ranulph (meet the book boys)

Ciao a tutti!
I'm sorry I'm late with my hello. TL asked me to write a Christmas post as she knows I love that time of year, but I got caught up in festivities. But I'm here now.

I don't really know what to say. This thing is a little strange. I don't like talking about myself really. I'm just a humble mechanic. Samantha says I'm good with my hands. Umm...

My name is Ranulph, and TL wrote about me in Young's Love. It was the first book she wrote, which is flattering. I think I was a bit of a guinea pig, but she told our tale well.

My sister Lottie loves horses, but I prefer my horse power in machines. I ride a Vespa and have a classic Morgan car. She is almost as beautiful as Samantha and purrs just like...well, never mind. Samantha will kill me if I talk about that sort of thing.

Samantha says I'm romantic, but I will ask you to decide. I just like to make my woman happy. She has a lovely smile, and she should show it off. She was so sad when we met. She had a pretty tough time, and she believed all the bad things people said about her.

I'm a lover not a fighter, but insult my girl and you will know about it. I will not allow people to speak badly of women. It's disrespectful.

I have dark hair and green eyes. I like going to the beach and swimming, but that makes this sound like a lonely hearts ad.

OK, I have to go and prepare for our New Year's Eve party now.

Don't forget to go to TL's Facebook page where I'll share my favourite quotes from the book.
Mikhail has already done his on there, the goody-two-shoes.

Ciao for now bella.