It’s always such a treat – and a bit of a privilege – to attend a blogger evening with Books and the City at S&S Towers. Sara-Jade and the team work so hard to make the evening special for everyone who attends, and last night was particularly spectacular with no less than TEN of their lovely authors in attendance, being expertly quizzed by Jo Dickinson, telling the most wonderful stories (some even book related!) and reading tantalising one minute extracts from their books.
Do you know, I always mean to take some stunning pictures, then my phone remains firmly in my bag until I’m on the train home. So do forgive me if I borrow a couple from SJV’s twitter feed – I really must show you the panel, and the magnificent cupcakes…
The authors all made their books sound so enticing – I really would like to read and review every one, but as every blogger with a full list knows, that’s sadly just impossible. I was aware last night that I might have been just a teeny bit older than many of the other lovely bloggers enjoying the evening, so there were some books that did appeal to me a little more than others – and I guess that’s only to be expected. So with apologies to those authors I don’t specifically mention – your books look thoroughly lovely, and will be reviewed magnificently by so many of the other bloggers at last night’s event – these are the books I’ll be adding to my reviewing list here on Being Anne.
I really didn’t need to attend the event to be convinced that Our House by Louise Candlish has to be on my “must read” list – have you seen the reviews?! – and although it might take me a little longer than I’d hoped to get to it, I will be reading and sharing my review.
On a bright morning in the London suburbs, a family moves into the house they’ve just bought on Trinity Avenue. Nothing strange about that. Except it’s your house. And you didn’t sell it.
FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE.
When Fi Lawson arrives home to find strangers moving into her house, she is plunged into terror and confusion. She and her husband Bram have owned their home on Trinity Avenue for years and have no intention of selling. How can this other family possibly think the house is theirs? And why has Bram disappeared when she needs him most?FOR RICHER, FOR POORER.
Bram has made a catastrophic mistake and now he is paying. Unable to see his wife, his children or his home, he has nothing left but to settle scores. As the nightmare takes grip, both Bram and Fi try to make sense of the events that led to a devastating crime. What has he hidden from her – and what has she hidden from him? And will either survive the chilling truth – that there are far worse things you can lose than your house?
Whenever I hear Penny Parkes talk about her books, I wonder why on earth I haven’t read one yet – they sound so totally up my street. So I will definitely be getting my hands on a copy of her new one, Best Practice – published in February 2018 in hardback and for kindle, with the paperback due out on 28th June. You’ll probably know that the first book in the Larkford Series, Out of Practice, won the RNA Romantic Comedy of the Year award for 2017, and in such a crowded market that’s a massive endorsement and recommendation. I’m looking forward to trying this one…
Love and laughter with the residents of Larkford is exactly what the doctor ordered!
Dr Alice Walker has become accomplished at presenting a façade to the world – to anyone watching, she is the epitome of style, composure and professionalism. But perhaps it was to be expected that the cracks might begin to show at some point. Thankfully Grace is on hand to offer both friendship and support when it’s needed most.
Meanwhile, Dr Holly Graham has her hands full both professionally and personally. Planning a wedding with Taffy Jones is challenging enough, even before some surprising news changes everything. At least beloved Larkford resident, Elsie, still has a few tricks left up her sleeve!
Dr Dan Carter, on the other hand, has decided to throw himself into his career – the best antidote he’s found to unrequited love. When tragedy strikes in the heart of Larkford, Dan makes it his mission to help the community.
Available in hardback and for kindle, paperback due out 28th June.
The next book from Santa Montefiore will be her 19th. Can you believe that? Well actually, yes I can – I so loved her earlier Argentinian-set books like The Butterfly Box, The Forget-Me-Not Sonata and Meet Me Under the Ombu Tree (goodness, was that really 2001?!), stuck with her through the Italian years, but have sadly neglected her books recently. It was so lovely to spend a little time with her last night (over a cup of tea!), and her forthcoming book, The Temptation of Gracie, looks like the ideal opportunity to rediscover her gorgeous writing, always about Love with a capital L.
Never give up on your dreams, no matter how long you hold on to them…
When Gracie Burton stumbles upon an advertisement for a weeklong cookery course in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, she cannot resist, and ploughs her life savings into the trip.
Her only family – daughter Carina and granddaughter Anastasia – are hesitant about what has prompted this seemingly random venture.
But they have no sense of Gracie’s past; of what could possibly be calling her to Italy. They have no idea that Gracie is harbouring the secretof an extraordinary life that preceded them…
Bestselling author, Santa Montefiore, returns with an unforgettable tale of love lost and rediscovered, set across the beautiful landscape of Italy.
Published in hardback, paperback and for kindle on 12th July
Now, Anstey Harris! Hers was the one name on the “authors attending” list that I didn’t recognise, but we had the good luck to meet while hiking up Gray’s Inn Road from Kings Cross and I liked her immediately. And when she told me and everyone else about her book, The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton, due for publication (hardback and e-book) in January 2019, I got very excited indeed. Take a look, you’ll be rather excited too… I’m very much looking forward to this one.
Grace Atherton has fallen out of love… and into life.
Between the simple melody of running her violin shop and the full-blown orchestra of her romantic interludes in Paris with David, her devoted partner of eight years, Grace Atherton has always set her life to music.
Her world revolves entirely around David, for Grace’s own secrets have kept everyone else at bay. Until, suddenly and shockingly, one act tips Grace’s life upside down, and the music seems to stop.
It takes a vivacious old man and a straight-talking teenager to kickstart a new chapter for Grace. In the process, she learns that she is not as alone in the world as she had once thought, that no mistake is insurmountable, and that the quiet moments in life can be something to shout about …
For fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Keeper of Lost Things, The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton is the story of a woman who has her heart broken, but then puts it back together again in the most uplifting and exquisite way.
Here are all the books (and authors) we were introduced to last night (I wonder if I could actually squeeze in just a couple more?), from the cover of the lovely little booklet of first chapters we were given to take away…
And then, I explored my super goody bag from the event (how you spoil us, BATC!) and found two more ARCs of books I just have to find space for on my list – to save you searching, Dani Atkins’ While I Was Sleeping is published 26th July (paperback and kindle), and Susan Elliot Wright’s The Flight of Cornelia Blackwood 21st February 2019 (also PB and kindle). May I never grow out of the sheer excitement of being a book blogger…
Thank you SJV, the Books and the City team and all the authors involved – so much to look forward to, and it was a really lovely evening. Now, if you could just move S&S Towers half a mile closer to King’s Cross for me… xx
I like the sound of the Santa Monetfiore. The setting sounds wonderful and my daughter often gets called Gracie!
It sounds like a fabulous event, Anne. Lucky you getting your hands on the new Susan Elliot Wright.
I’ve never read a Santa Montefiore but I love the sound of The Temptation of Gracie. Our House is on my pile already and I like the sound of the Anstey Harris one. I’ve not heard of it either.
Fabulous event. How wonderful.
This sounds like great fun, Anne. Would love to have been there myself! 😊