The Cottage of Curiosities - Celia Anderson

 

 

Return to 59 Memory Lane with a new novel from the Kindle Top Ten bestselling author Celia Anderson!

’A brilliantly original and enchanting tale’ Sun ‘Wonderful characters make this a great read’ Good Housekeeping ‘Truly unique…unforgettable’ Woman’s Weekly

Grace Clarke is shocked to learn at the age of fifty-six that she’s adopted – it feels as though her whole life has been a lie. But it also explains a lot of things for Grace too. Including the gift that has plagued Grace since childhood – the ability to feel other people’s memories.

Could this gift be something she shared with the woman who abandoned her – the mysterious May Rosevere?

And as Grace travels to the small coastal village of Pengelly to find the answers she craves, she feels her gift growing stronger. As though May is somehow calling her long-lost daughter home…

My Review:

Having read and adored 59 Memory Lane I could not wait for this return to Pengally. I do think if you haven’t read 59 Memory Lane you should read it first (a) because its wonderful and b) it will give some clarity to this story. 

Celia Anderson is brilliant; her writing is gorgeous and the way she tells these stories, brings her characters to life is wonderful. I feel so involved with these stories it takes me days to be able to move on with another book. Ultimate book hangover!

With ‘The Cottage of Curiosities’ we have a lovely tale of self discovery, love, hope and acceptance. Friendships and relationships play such important roles within this story.
We meet Grace who is searching for information on her biological parents, and finds herself heading to the coastal village of Pengelly. Here she effortlessly fits into the community, making friends as she uncovers the truth about where she came from. All of that on top of managing and utilising an extremely special, maybe magical, skill to help those she gets close to. 

An absolutely heart-warming and uplifting book, a real curl up, get cosy kind of read. I cannot recommend this enough. One of my favourites of the year. 

PURCHASE HERE

BLOGTOUR: The Summer of Going Topless - Liz Davies

The Summer of Going Topless

Candice Summerville is invisible. No one seems to notice her - not really. Heck, she often doesn’t notice herself, except for her monthly scrutiny in the mirror to check on her body’s steady slide towards middle age.

But when her ancient, practical estate car is consigned to the scrap heap, Candice falls in love with a cute, purple convertible, and from that moment on her life begins to take on a whole new meaning. Strangers wave at her and people stop to talk, and suddenly she isn’t invisible any longer.

Life seems to be looking up, especially when she meets silver fox and handy-man, Paul. There’s just one fly in the ointment, one thing she that has her second-guessing herself.

Is it the car that Paul sees - or is it her?

Purchase Links:

UK -  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07V72XKWP 

US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V72XKWP

My Review: 

The title of this book is fun and quirky, a play on the fact that our main character – Candice – buys herself a convertible when she needs a new car. After her husband left her for a newer model, she’s taken time to move on and the purchase of this car (which she names jellybean) is just what she needs to give her a new lease of life. It certainly does that!

We see Candice start to spread her wings and claw back some independence, doing things for her own good instead of for someone else.

She starts doing yoga, finds romance, has a makeover and starts becoming more than the woman we initially met. I found her very soft; yes, very caring but really the love for that car was perhaps a little over the top for me. I get that it just represented something new for her, a change and the push she needed to become a different version of herself but there was so much emphasis on Jelly Bean.

It was nicely written, fast paced and an easy read. It’s amusing and will have you chuckling. For people in the same position it will be a fun glimpse into how a little bit of effort can really change your outlook on life.  There were no big twists or surprises, I could tell what would happen but that’s ok.

An enjoyable read, light hearted and fun - something quick for the last of the summer. 

About the Author: 

Liz Davies writes feel-good, light-hearted stories with a hefty dose of romance, a smattering of humour, and a great deal of love.

She’s married to her best friend, has one grown-up daughter, and when she isn’t scribbling away in the notepad she carries with her everywhere (just in case inspiration strikes), you’ll find her searching for that perfect pair of shoes. She loves to cook but isn’t very good at it, and loves to eat - she’s much better at that! Liz also enjoys walking (preferably on the flat), cycling (also on the flat), and lots of sitting around in the garden on warm, sunny days.

She currently lives with her family in Wales, but would ideally love to buy a camper van and travel the world in it. 

Social Media Links:

Twitter https://twitter.com/lizdaviesauthor