Self Confident Sally - Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino

Self-Confident Sandy by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino 

Sandy was full of self-confidence. Where did it come from? She could do anything, but why? Ah, she had a special mantra that she used to explain herself. “” You may ask me why I can do anything I try… and the only answer can be: all these things are inside me!’ Yes, I can do most anything. Once I set my mind and heart to it, I find that there is nothing to it. Still, I keep my mantra handy,” explained Self-Confident Sandy!

Buy Link

https://amzn.to/2USHPPd

Author/Illustrator Sally Huss creates children’s books to uplift the lives of children. She does this by giving them tools to overcome obstacles; by helping them value themselves and others; and by inspiring them to be the best that they can be. Her catalog of books now exceeds 100.

"Bright and happy," "light and whimsical" have been the catch phrases attached to the writings and art of Sally Huss for over 30 years. Sweet images dance across all of Sally's creations, whether in the form of children's books, paintings, wallpaper, ceramics, baby bibs, purses, clothing, or her King Features syndicated newspaper panel "Happy Musings."

Sally is a graduate of USC with a degree in Fine Art and through the years has had 26 of her own licensed art galleries throughout the world. sallyhuss.com.

Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino is one of America's foremost personal and corporate development consultants. She is the creator of The Best Ever You Network (or Best Ever You), a leading multimedia provider of lifestyle and self-help content. While participating in the Harvard Business School for Leadership program, Elizabeth serves as a Leadership Advisor for the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute.

In 2020 Elizabeth joined Sally Huss to create the best-selling children’s book A Lesson for Every Child: Learning About Food Allergies. Living with life-threatening food allergies for many years, Elizabeth added her personal experience and her expertise to the project. She also sits on several boards of organizations and foundations that bring awareness to this life-threatening condition.

Elizabeth is also the best-selling author of Percolate – Let Your Best Self Filter Through (Hay House Publishing). elizabethguarino.com.

84 Charing Cross Road - Helene Hanff

Description

In 1949 Helene Hanff, a “poor writer with an antiquarian taste in books”, wrote to Marks & Co Booksellers of 84 Charing Cross Rd, in search of the rare editions she was unable to find in New York.

Her books were dispatched with polite but brisk efficiency. But, seeking further treasures, Helene soon found herself in regular correspondence with bookseller Frank Doel, laying siege to his English reserve with her warmth and wit. And as letters, books and quips crossed the ocean, a friendship flourished that would endure for twenty years 

Review

I've read this book before, many years ago, but this is the first time I have had an edition which includes the sequel book The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street. I also hadn't realised how much the film changes the story (as usual!).

The first book consists purely of letters between Helene Hanff (yes, this really happened) and the staff at Marks & Co - in the main Frank Doel. Helene has that smart mouth New York way of writing and it is really so entertaining, I just loved it.

The second book is when Helene finally gets to London in the 60s and I loved this book even more. Maybe because she stays in Bloomsbury an area I know well and even the hotel I regularly used to stay in - which makes it seem all the more special to me now. 

She sees London and trips further afield through the eyes of a New Yorker and it is just so entertaining. These are the days before mobile phones and it was a joy to read of her receiving notes inviting her to be somewhere, sometimes at short notice and her then trying to find her way around London. It's a fantastic trip back into the past.

I've now ordered Helene Hanff's others books which include an autobiography - I want to go back to her world.

I'm giving this book five out of five starts.

The Bus Ride - Joanie Chevalier

Description

When Devon discovers his car stolen, he must find transportation to get to his destination before the deadline to get what’s rightfully his: the urn containing one-fifth of his deceased momma. He hops on Bus No. 255 and changes the course of the route. As the passengers’ personalities and needs emerge, they go from being strangers to a bonded family within hours as they fight for each other, and themselves… in more ways than one. Funny and sentimental, this story will grab your heart as you cheer everyone on Bus Route No. 255, maybe even the busnapper.

Meet the passengers on Bus No. 255, an unlikely group of people who have no choice but to try to get along and survive when their bus gets busnapped. Meet Devon, who has a deadline he must meet, or risk losing what’s his; Doug, a dreamer of a better life, but first must face a sad truth; Frankie, a life full of loneliness, but unexpectedly becomes a hero; Gloria, a woman who finds validation in the most unexpected place; Autumn, a girl who desires a family, and a sense of belonging; Dave, a man seeking justice and equality, learns to love himself as he is; and the Garcia family, whose family ties brings them to the brink of danger. Follow these passengers as they each fulfill their destinies, together.

Review

I actually won the copy of this book from the author. 

Reading the blurb on this one I wasn't sure what to expect. At 128 pages I dived in and devoured the story in one sitting. At times it had me laughing out loud and at others a little crestfallen for what would become of the characters.

There is a great action scene, when really all the bus comes together and I guess Devon got lucky with the passengers on this bus! It made for a funny different read and at times became a farce, but it certainly keeps your interest.

A nice lighthearted read with a heartwarming message.

The Little Dreams of Lara Cliffe - Milly Johnson

Description

It only takes one small step to change your life!
 
Lara Cliffe and her three friends are off on a mini break for her hen party.  It’s three weeks before her wedding to ’Steady Freddie’, one of the kindest men on the planet.  But something is worrying Lara. Her friends say it’s wedding jitters, but she isn’t so sure.  Fifteen years ago the love of her life, Danny Belfont, walked out on her three weeks before their wedding and she has never been able to fully get him out of her heart.
 
Then, on the overnight ferry, Lara finds out that Danny is playing in the onboard band and he spots her in the crowd. Will she meet him the next night to talk?
 
As the wonderful city of Amsterdam works its magic on Lara, she tries to sort out her thoughts.  And if fate has brought Lara and Danny back together … is it really for love or for something quite different? 

Review

If you are struggling to read at the moment then this book from Milly is an ideal light read. It's from the Quick Reads series of books which come from a range of authors. Only 99 pages and a £1.

The story centres around Lara who is on her hen party in Amsterdam. On the way there she sees the man who jilted her before her wedding to him several years ago. Will she decide she wants to give him a second change and in turn jilt her intended?

I've heard Milly speak in person, she's so entertaining.  At the moment she is doing a Facebook live from her bookclub page on a Monday evening at 7.30pm, she chats and also reads from her books. A lovely thing to do in the present climate.You can also play the live from this last week if you missed it.

The Liberty Girls - Fiona Ford

Description

March, 1942: new mother Alice Milwood is itching to return to her job as a shop assistant at Liberty’s.

Despite her husband still being missing in action, Alice is determined to give baby Arthur the best possible start. She soon settles back into the rhythm of life on the shop floor, and the Liberty Girls rally to help keep everything on an even keel.

But when the American GIs start swarming into London, there are more complications to come. And each of the Liberty Girls has their own impossible storm to weather.

As they each fight their battles on the home front, only their close friendship will give them the strength they need to carry on.

Review

This is the second book in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone. I did enjoy the book but not quite as much as the first one. Because the war is now on and the Liberty store is feeling the pinch so not so much happening in store. The fabric department has to push utility fabric and the fabulous prints have to take a back seat.

The social history side is just as strong in this book and it was a little strange to the modern reader to hear some of the things being said, but of course it would have been the norm for the time. Also there is more of the East End goings on and this book focuses more on Alice as the first book was focussed on Mary.

Lots of changes happen at Liberty's in this book and not all of them good ones. I did find myself giving a cheer towards the end of the book when justice won through.  A nice positive story overall with a lovely ending.

From my personal bookshelf. I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars.

How to Build a Boyfriend From Scratch -Sarah Archer

Description

Dating is hard. Being dateless at your perfect sister's wedding is harder.

Meet Kelly. A brilliant but socially awkward robotics engineer desperately seeking a wedding date…

Meet Ethan. Intelligent, gorgeous, brings out the confidence Kelly didn’t know she had and … not technically human. (But no one needs to know that.)

With her sister’s wedding looming and everyone in the world on her case about being perpetually single, Kelly decides to take her love life into her own hands – and use her genius skills to create Ethan.

But when she can’t resist keeping her new boy toy around even after the ‘I do’s’, Kelly knows she needs to hit the off switch on this romance, fast. Only, when you’ve found (well, made) your perfect man, how do you kiss him goodbye?

Review

I really enjoyed this book but hadn't fully grasped the blurb description. So when Kelly actually does build a boyfriend I was a little surprised. If you are in the UK and a fan of the TV series Humans then this book will be for you - maybe with a more lighthearted feel to it in the main. Although the book does scratch the surface of a few deep issues.

Reminiscent of several films that require someone needing a plus one at a wedding, tormented by their family for not having a beau readily on hand; but the first one I think where the boyfriend is actually created by a robotics engineer. The book is called "The Plus One" in the USA.

I liked the fact that Kelly is a smart woman and she is a robotics engineer. However, she does unfortunately still fall foul of society's view of her, mainly her Mother, who wouldn't be amiss in a Jane Austen novel.

I was amused by the book and it did have a few little twists that I didn't see coming. More farce than romance at times as Kelly opens her mouth to say what's she's decided, but never really does. Leading to some interesting situations. Leaving me exclaiming more than once "oh no". Kelly also has a boss that could be in the Devil Wears Prada and I feared for her and her job all the way through the book.

There were a few comments made by characters that I was uncomfortable with, however, I guess they are made by people in society so only a reflection of that. They were brief and fleeting and it was easy to read them and move on.

I'm giving this book four out of five stars. My thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC to review.

Daisy on the Outer Line - Ross Sayers | Cover Reveal with #LoveBooksGroupTours

Blurb:

Life, Death and Time Travel on the Glasgow Subway...

When selfish student Daisy trashes her stepdad’s funeral, she gets blind drunk and wakes up on the Glasgow subway to find she has travelled back in time. To make amends for her behaviour, she must save a life—but she doesn’t know who, how, or where to begin. She’ll have to find out fast if she wants to make it back to her old life and avoid being trapped in

the wrong timeline forever.

This novel was awarded one of the first Scots Language Publication Grants funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the Scottish Book Trust.

Publication Date: 5th November 2020

ISBN:

Paperback 978-1-911279-77-8

eBook 978-1-911279-78-5

Ross Bio:

Ross Sayers grew up in Stirling and now lives in Edinburgh. He’s still finding his way around. His debut novel, Mary’s the Name was released in 2017 and was shortlisted for the Saltire First Book Award. He’s currently working on a sequel to one of his books... You can tweet him praise or abuse @Sayers33