Escape to Giddywell Grange

Book ReviewThis book is a charming tale of how life can change due to circumstances beyond your control, a perfect read during a pandemic which forced us all to stop and reconsider life.  Enforced stopping, taking stock and going with the flow of whatever each new day brings is good for the soul.  Maddy reconnects with the importance of friendships, family and caring for your community.  Dog lovers will find delight in these pages too.  Sometimes things happen for a reason and when Maddy finds a tin in her Mum’s loft it opens up a whole new way of thinking about who she is and where she comes from.  A previous relationship too gets under her skin – should she reconnect with Jamie?

There is romance, hospital visits, new home and loving family ties.  It will make you miss your mum more if you have lost her or want to spend more time with her if she is still around for you.  During our lives, when work and home life are busy, we often neglect those closest to us and don’t really know them at all.  A holiday break for Maddy and her mum brings them very close and there is more to her mum than she realises.  

The men in the book are charming, sexy, hunky and two cause Maddy to have quite a dilemma on her hands.  You will be willing her to make the right choice.  

There are some very tender moments that will pull at your heartstrings and have you reaching for the tissues.  

I am usually a very slow reader but I amazed myself by reading this lovely book in less than a week – a record for me I think!

Well done Kim Nash.   *****

The Gift book review

 

This Lockdown year is certainly helping me get through my TBR (to be read) pile and I was ready to have a change of genre and open The Gift.

Louise Jenson is a very talented writer.  Having read The Sister I was aware of her style and knew I had to be in a good head space to read another of her psychological thrillers.  Being rested and relaxed due to the enforced 'stay home' of Covid19 pandemic I reached a place of 'coping well' and was able to read the twisting episodes of this novel.  Her books are ones you never forget, the telling of the story being cleverly weaved through the pages like a tapestry - the whole picture/story not becoming clear until near the end of the book.

I applaud the research Louise will have done for the storyline.  The Cellular Memory and Secondary Traumatic Stress disorder educates the reader into a world within the mind not many of us will have experienced.  On the other hand many of us will have had thoughts and doubts that are sometimes irrational.  I did, on occasion, have to put the book down to process what I was reading and remind myself it was fiction, using facts to make the story realistic.

The story grips you and pulls you into a scenario that is scary, tense, weird, realistic, fascinating and the characters all jump out like its a pop-up book.  To say I 'enjoyed' it would be the wrong word for me - it was after all a traumatic and tragic tale of a heart transplant with serious repercussion.  It was however a wonderful piece of fiction, so believable and another I will never forget.  It really should be televised or made into a film - although for me, I would be pressing the pause button to catch my breath with it.  It's fast paced and yet there's a steadiness too, going back and forth through time reaching a combining of past and present in a clear way through a mine-field of events.

The protagonist, Jenna's life, is consumed by Callie, her donor, as the search for the circumstances of Callie's death is sought.  Her new heart feeds Jenna's dreams and mind which opens a can of worms for Callie's family, friends and Jenna's workmates and boyfriend.  She follows her instincts and finds answers to everyone's questions and reveals unspoken issues.  A thrilling seaside beach scene opens up; the drama is tangible and it is heart-pounding reading as you gallop towards the end.

Thankfully the conclusion settled my buzzing mind and I could be pleased I had read The Gift.

Ps readers:  It's a love story too, so have tissues at the ready.

Well done Louise Jensen.  *****

The Summer Getaway

Still stuck in Lockdown Land (Day 102 or thereabouts!) very few of us are getting away this summer.  However, through reading books I have travelled to Malta with Sue Moorcroft, USA with Michelle Obama, places in the UK and more recently to France with Tilly Tennant.  No planes, no suitcases, no foreign currency.  Just me, my back garden, a sun lounger and birds tweeting.

There is power in reading - getting lost in imagination, escaping the reality of Covid19; people flooding beaches and leaving litter behind, riots, stabbings, murders and all that is bad in the news at the moment can be blotted out as you are transported to another place, another world, another time.

Published by Bookouture, The Summer Getaway sees two families collide whilst staying in neighbouring holiday homes for a week.  The connections reveal secrets, joy, love, fun, excitement and fear.

Romance blossoms for the single parents and their teenage girls form special bonds too.  Ashley and Haydon's relationships turn into real complications.  Being at a birthday party for a 100 year old French lady turns into a nightmare and opens a can of worms.  The teenagers go missing and caring family and friends help the search which is fraught with anxious thoughts and tense with fears.

Leaving France for the UK brings about a dilemma of how the relationships will continue but the reader is left feeling sure of a happy ending.

Well done Tilly Tennant - a lovely novel that is hard to leave behind.  Where will I go next, I wonder?

A Malteser anyone?

Book Review – Summer on a Sunny Island by Sue Moorcroft



The first pages of this book transported me back 40+ years ago when I took my first holiday abroad.  I stayed in Mehelia Bay, Malta and visited both of my penfriends – one on the mainland and the other on the island of Gozo.  This memory came flooding back as I vividly remembered the scene Sue Moorcroft was describing of Sliema.



Before long I was swimming in the sea with Rosa and Zach as they and the local youth were on a plastic clearing mission.  As it was a very hot day I sat on a sun-bed in my garden during whatever day it was of this seemingly never-ending lockdown, I realised how much I was missing donning my swimming costume and being immersed in cool water.  The thought of holidaying abroad this year has long gone but even to go to my local leisure centre is curtailed for now.



So I read on with delight having visited Mosta, Valletta and Sliema I could imagine the streets, sounds, smells and tastes that Rosa and Zach would be experiencing, along with the tingling of a budding new relationship.



As the weather in my garden warmed up to the hottest May since records began so too did this sunny island tale.  Romance had not been on Rosa’s agenda when she escaped the broken relationship with Marcus in the UK.  A career break, with her mother who was engaged in making delicious food and writing a cook book, gives Rosa time to think about her future.



The apartment block in the book where Zach and his sister and niece live too, is very much in keeping with my penfriend’s home and every time the stairs and balconies were mentioned I was back there meeting Mary’s family, going up onto the roof space and having lunch with them in a dining room in their apartment.



Even when Zach’s other family members turn up I was transported back 20 years when on a New Year’s eve in Cyprus where I was living in a similar two bedroom apartment, like Zach, I had to find beds for friends and family members who had made a ‘surprise’ visit, which actually was more of a shock than surprise for me!



Weaved through the book is a character of suspect, a young man Zach cares about.  He turns up in unexpected places and holds an air of mystery.  He’s elusive and seems to be playing into the hands of an unsavoury gang leader.



Also sprinkled throughout the book are glimpses of castles, beaches, harbours and restaurants.  Zach gives Rosa a tour of historic places and explains their 16^th century lives or gruesome story of long ago battles.  I had thought they might have visited Mosta’s domed church where, in the centre, was an unexploded German bomb – no doubt made safe – and enclosed behind railings.  A sight I will never forget.



I slowed my reading towards the end as I didn’t want to leave Malta or the families I had got involved with.  Zach and his family get into quite a tangled mess and Rosa has some hard decisions about her future to make.  I crept towards the ending which certainly doesn’t disappoint.  You know when you cry at the end of a film you’ve been watching? - well it was like that for me.



Thank you, Sue Moorcroft, for another fabulous read.  2020 will be remembered not only for the Lockdown but for a fictional re-visit to Malta in a Summer on a Sunny Island.



 

Becoming, Book Review

Becoming by Michelle Obama

I forgot to write about this fabulous book when I finished reading it as the Corona Virus Pandemic struck our country and all normal thoughts and actions went to pot! So 12 weeks later when calm and

a new normality has settled in (#stayinghomestayingsafe) I can now recommend that you will be

heart-warmed by this openly written and an inspiring book.

Michelle had humble beginnings and learnt to play the piano by the sound of a stream of students visiting her aunt for lessons in the apartment where her family all lived together.  In early years she experienced racism and fearmongering but her mother taught her to rise above it.  From early life and teenage years the reader will find a really nice girl who is full of ambition, good morals, decency and fun.  An independent girl and proud of her parents and brother.

When I read that her school had taught her in a class of like-minded students, regardless of age, so that they could set their own goals and work speeds, I was thrilled.  This hooked into my own 'beef' about our education system - one size does NOT fit all.  Working independently rather than corporately is SURELY better for students. (Perhaps this time of LOCKDOWN has confirmed that and the Education system will change!)  It was school lunchtimes that Michelle formed a solid girl-friends group taking them home for mum-made sandwiches.  Again I identified with the need to be part of a small group rather than the whole school playground of peers where trouble brewed, gossip and teasing occurred with boys and girls of all ages mixed - the older ones racing around being inconsiderate of young frightened kids who were new to the whole regeme of 'school'.

This book proves that no matter who you are, where you are from, what colour your skin, or how different your name - if you are clean living, hard working, goal focussed, have faith in your own ability, love justice and your family - you can achieve anything you want from a low paid or voluntary job to a high powered position; from being single to married and family life.  'Making a difference' is both singularly and as a couple, what Michelle and Barak's lives are about.  They mastered the art of living separate lives together, maintaining their individuality whilst remaining married.

I felt very close to this wonderful (now former) first lady of the USA when she described having had a miscarriage and in attempt to raise a family used the drug Clomid unsuccessfully, which I did too.  The heartache and confusion ones own body can give you when a much wanted child is not conceived is hard to put into words.  I also identify with her saying, "Being with children.... was balm for my spirit." She of course went on to have two lovely daughters and I have one for which I am truly grateful for.

When I read that she and Barak disliked Les Miserables, the way I did, I was pleasantly surprised.  I thought everyone but me liked that play or film.  They left the theatre half way through and found relief from the gloom.  Yes!

Her visit to England and meeting the Queen was worded with such realism that you can imagine the scene - either from your own recall of the news or on the pages it is described.

My favourite of all her quotes, one I will never forget, is "When they go low, we go high."  I have huge admiration for this lovely lady.  Do add this book to your wish list, to be read list, Christmas or Birthday present list, you will not be disappointed.

You can follow Michelle on Twitter @MichelleObama and see her on YouTube with Oprah Winfrey, Instagram etc.

5 star review.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review 2 during Lockdown 2020

It was great to connect again with characters from The Lemon Tree Café through interaction around the main character of this book, Gina.  

The story begins with an ending - I know that doesn't sound right - but it is comical and sets the tone of Gina's ex-husband, Eric.  His derogatory comments about Gina's future spurs her on to prove him wrong and be proud of herself for trying something bigger than her current childminding career she is so good at.  

Living in rented accommodation she sets out to purchase a larger property to expand her business and wants to include her elderly neighbours in the venture too.  Not having any grandchildren of my own, and having been a childminder myself a very long time ago, I identified with Gina doing the school runs and making sure all her charges/mindees are well looked after.  I warmed to the twin girls especially and was quite envious of Bing, Delphine and Violet having small children visit them regularly.  

With a 'Flint' in the book it made me smile especially as our (great-nephew) Dexter is not yet a handsome young eligible bachelor - he is still at junior school! When Gina meets Dexter Flint her life goes on a roller-coaster ride of emotions as he seems to be blocking her course and churning her passions at the same time.  It is an exciting ride, a great read and highly enjoyable way to while away the hours.

Well done again, Cathy Bramley.  

Reviewed also on Goodreads.

Book Review during Lockdown 2020

I have to admit that the title of this book puzzled me all the way through to the end.  But in the end it was clear.

Between the cover and the last page are words, words, words that are a writers paradise - the jargon of the writing world as the protagonist, Lana Green - Author, tells us of her journey to publishing her second book.  She has writers block, she is stuck for a hero, she has diminishing finances but all these lead her to new people, new homes and eventually a new way forward.

There is a love story to uncover, broken hearts and dementia - that cruel twist of fate on a famous writer's life.  There is a writing group, discussions of works in progress and Lana's own dilemma with Mark and Jack.

I became engrossed from the beginning, aware of the luxury of having TIME to read during this big lockdown - time to sit in the garden sunshine, in bed not worrying about 'time to get up' and snuggled in my favourite lounge chair - reading without distractions. 

The Forgotten Guide to Happiness is a delight, an education, a hope as I still await publication offer for my own novel.

Well done Sophie Jenkins.  *****

LOCKDOWN LAND

Sitting on the rattan sofa in the garden on a perfectly sunny spring afternoon, the flowers coming into bloom, the leaves on the trees giving a show of their best green leaves, a mown lawn and birds twittering, chirping and cooing, it's hard to imagine that its not Sunday - it's Lockdown Thursday, week 4, and life beyond our wall and front door is a war zone of fighting a deadly virus.  How both sublime and crazy is that?!

Corona Virus (COVID19) 2020 

How are you all doing?  How are you spending your TIME - that commodity we don't usually have enough of and now we have too much of it?  I've mostly been positive in telling myself - this too will pass - a saying my dear Aunt, God rest her soul, would say when troubles come as oft they do throughout a lifetime.  The first few weeks were tense, stressful, frustrating, annoying but then, feeling the pain of it all in my arms and neck muscles I 'crashed' - had a day of doing absolutely nothing.  It helped me to take stock and reassess my behaviours.

The 'wash your hands', 'don't touch your face', 'stay home, stay safe, save the NHS' messages had settled into my mind rather than buzzing about like a bee about to sting.  Obsession and paranoid activities became a new normal - panic and dread mixing together like a mixture for baking, but instead of making something lovely it was producing a recipe for stroke or heart attack I felt.  And so after the day of rest my fears came down several notches and although a feeling of helplessness washes over me from time to time I have taken self-care actions and feel so much better.  

I limit my intake of news - it's so grim and the reporters/interviewers 'push' Government officials and others with impossible to answer questions - there are NO answers to 'when will it end', 'when a vaccine 'might' be available', etc etc.  Instead I ring someone every day for a chat - people I would only see occasionally or usually keep in touch via Christmas cards, emails or text messages.  Hearing their voices or seeing them on FaceTime is very uplifting.  Thankfully, to this point in time, I have only one friend who has had and recovered from the Virus, a friend of a friend's husband has died of it and everyone else is coping best they can with the situation.

I have done all the household tasks I don't normally make time for - cleaning the car out of sweet papers etc; cleaning the oven (yuk!), seeing the bottom of my ironing basket, gardening, window cleaning, fence painting - anything to fill the time.  Now I am left with a lighter routine of cleaning, reading, journalling, using the internet for on-line shopping (a full time job!) and I learnt how to use YouTube as my church wanted people to contribute to their Lent programme.

I have family members involved with the NHS and Care Homes so the clapping on the doorstep on Thursday nights are emotional, as I am sure it is for so many of us.  Despite the criticism and negative news reports, some of which are very valid, they soldier on saving lives, making the sick comfortable, saying kind words over the dying and putting aside their own fears and needs in the battle to win over this situation.  

Lockdown Land is our new 'norm' for now, maybe for the rest of spring and summer - who knows.  Going with the flow of each day is all we can do, accepting the situation and the small joys and disappointments.  People are making such fun videos and connecting more with their children; neighbours are talking over the fence again or across the street keeping social distancing.  Who would have imagined at the beginning of 2020 this was even possible.  Our world has been turned upside down and hopefully, when all this is over, great changes will have occurred for us to take better care of our planet, our little world beyond our four walls and within them too.

Stay safe my family, friends, Twitter pals, Facebook friends and readers of this blog.  Thank you to every key worker for  delivering services that are vital to our wellbeing and mental health.  May you be blessed in abundance.

Comments are welcome here or via Twitter @tweetsue13.

Bournemouth

12th-15th March 2020

What a wonderful time we had despite breaking news of the Corona Virus.  We really didn't know whether to go or not but when we got there is was sooooooooooooo lovely to be besides the sea.  And as we now know, probably our last break away for a long time.

The Bed and Breakfast accommodation we stayed in I can't recommend highly enough.  We were the only guests and had a large ground floor room (Rm 1) in Mory House, 31 Grand Avenue, Bournemouth - see my review on Trip Advisor.

The attention to detail at this B&B was superb - a little fridge in our room filled with treats, a jar of liquorice allsorts and plenty of beverages;  in the bathroom the sink plug chain was curled on top of the plug - such lovely touches to make us feel special guests.  Outside our room there was an array of home-made cakes and cookies as well as a bowl of fruit to help ourselves to.

 



Grand Avenue, Southbourne is five minutes walk from the High Street where there are a plethora of eateries, a lovely library to pick up information leaflets from, lots of bus stops and well knowns shops as well as querky but classy gift shops.  It is also a walkable distance along the coast to Bournemouth and interesting walk to Christchurch.  If you are not a walker and don't want to drive, the buses are extremely plentiful and frequent.

In the High Street of Southbourne we visited Brewhouse and Kitchen where we sampled real ales and good food; the Larder House and Makla Bistro restaurants and Urban Reef Café on the front at Bournemouth.

Brewhouse & Kitchen 1

B & K 2

B & K 3

Makla Bistro (Morrocan Food)

Looking over the sea, or walking on or next to a beach, no matter what the weather is soul-joy for me.  If there are beach huts to feast my eyes on, so much the better.

 

 
The highlight and main purpose of our visit was that I had won tickets to the Russian Ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty at the Bournemouth Pavilion courtesy of Yours Magazine.  Again it was decision time whether to go or not, but in the end we had a taxi there and back, waited outside until it was about to start and were pleased to find the seats either side and immediately in front of us were empty.  We enjoyed the show but there was definitely an atmosphere of tension in the theatre.  We left promptly and that began our journey into the current situation where all places of social gatherings have closed.  Staying home, self isolating, social distancing, toilet rolls and panic buying became every day words along with Corona Virus.

 

Outside Spring was blooming regardless of the spreading of COVID19, streets and roads began to become deserted and today we are in lockdown - paramount to curbing the spread, saving lives, helping the NHS.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog and seeing the photos.  Do Tweet me on @tweetsue13, your comments are appreciated.

A Highland Holiday 1 of 2

Well that was an interesting holiday during Storms Ciara and Dennis!  After a very long and exhausting journey by coach we arrived at The Highland Hotel in Fort William, Scotland.

At breakfast the following morning it was announced that due to the inclement weather it was too risky on the roads to venture out so a whole day stretched out before us with the wind raging and the rain lashing at the windows.   

A notice was soon displayed to tell residents of a Tai Chi session in the Function Room which I was drawn to.  Having done a little before I'm always ready to learn more.  Our instructor was Shaun Folds, trained by Master Faye Yip based in Telford, Shropshire.  Shaun holds classes in Hull if you live near do look him up or visit www.deyin.taiji.com for further information.

I was so chilled and relaxed afterwards, a great unwinder from the stress of travelling all the previous day, that I found myself at the hotel reception offering to put on a Writing Workshop in the afternoon for anyone interested.  A small group attended between 4-5 pm and I really enjoyed leading them in four writing exercises using pictures from a magazine as writing prompts.  I started with a simple one minute sentence exercise, then a 3 minutes and then a 10 minute write.  Finally we started a story with (appropriately) 'One stormy day.....'  At each stage we shared our scribbles, had some laughter and at the end I was clapped and thanked.  Such a lovely time.  

On Monday 10th February we had a short excursion to Ben Nevis Distillery - well you just have to consume some whiskey whilst in Scotland.  The tour was interesting and the cafe was a blessing as it was so cold outside - not all the tour was inside.  

I now have my very own 'tot' glass so joining the ranks of whisky drinkers!  We visited the distillery on a day when the Scottish news reported about four young lads had been rescued from Ben Nevis by helicopter the previous day (Storm Ciara at its worst).  They were not equipped to be climbing a mountain and were wearing trainers!  Really???  Did not one of them think to turn back and save the rescue costs?  Soooooo dangerous.

The coach dropped us off in Fort William town and we braved the elements to see the shops, cafes etc.  And on the evening the entertainment of Bingo followed by a singer/musician was enjoyed by many.

Tuesday was Inverness day stopping at Fort Augustus and then Loch Ness - no I didn't spot Nessie. Our driver, Sandra Deak, who was from Hungary but lived in UK for 8 years, was very informative of what to see along the route and also made sure we were all returned to our coach seats before setting off.  Inverness is a lovely town with a good mixture of old and new buildings.  

Victorian Market

Town House, High Street

Leakey's Bookshop, Church Street

A Highland Holiday 2 of 2

  Mallaig

Thursday was the last day of trips out on the www.lochsandglens.com coach holiday.  I have to say that the company (hotel and coach combined) have organisation down to a tee.  All meals in the hotel were staggered between three groups/coaches; service at the tables was most excellent; all the staff were pleasant and rooms were spacious.

So off we set again, this time for the port town of Oban, the gateway to the islands.  The scenery en route was fabulous - it was like being driven through a winter wonderland in the Glen Coe area.  Stags and deer were grazing by the roadside having come down from snowy heights.

The sun actually shone warmly in Oban and we walked the main street looking for somewhere to have lunch.  I fancied some Cullen Skink - leek, potato and smoked haddock - a typical Scottish soup.

Having found Coast Restaurant www.coastoban.co.uk in George Street we went inside and found it a delightful place to spend some time in.  I don't normally post pictures of food but it was so well presented and yummy I just had to take pictures.

To sweeten up afterwards I had Rhubarb with honeycomb crunch and ice cream.

The final journey home was very long and besides a comfort break at www.thegreenwellystop.co.uk Tyndrum and www.visitmoffat.co.uk Moffat Mill just off the M74 at Junction 15, I had a numb backside. It is nice to go away but nice too to be home.

Just for Christmas

Santa always leaves me a 'Christmas' themed book of his choosing so I dipped into this on Boxing day.  It is based in a Cornish harbour village with Alexandra having left her home town in Scotland for a complete change and get-away life.  Her unusual job has the new neighbours sceptical at first but they soon learn that she is more than capable and she is taken into the friendly community making the move interesting for her.  She finds new friends and takes on care of the Harbour Master's old dog too.

Being cagoled into taking part in the Christmas pageant, which is the very old tradition of Poldore, she reluctantly steps out of her comfort zone - she has gone there to change herself anyway.  She is befriended by Lucy and they share their secrets of life 'before' and Alex finds this frees herself to hope for love again.  

Being so far from home and making this little place her own, she doesn't expect any visitors.  She becomes the Virgin Mary and local lad Ruan, who lives in the lighthouse, plays Joseph.  Trouble is around every corner and drama, confusion, love and doggie delights will have you laughing and crying in equal measure.  

When you dive into a book and it delivers a 5 star read it's hard to put it down.  I really didn't want it to end and have kept the epilogue for later today.

Well done Scarlett Bailey and Penquin Publishers for producing another seasonal winner.

 

Book Review:The Songs of Us

Headline Publishing Group

For the first few chapters I did wonder at the main character, Melody.  Her behaviour is somewhat 'different'/unusual/crazy.  But when you read this book you will soon be singing in your head, if not out aloud to the songs Melody knows.  By chapter 8 I was hooked into this lady's life, her children's view and the mystery and adventure that begins with a train journey.

My heartstrings were connected to this family, the situations they found themselves in and how they interact with one another in their realistic love/hate family way that teenagers do.

The book is edgy.  Melody is on a knife's edge between sanity and insanity, between normal behaviour and being overtaken by an affliction of mental strangeness following a car accident - or is it Tourette's syndrome?  Her unstable mind takes her over uncontrollably.  Life, for short bursts of time, is embarrassing for those around her.

You will laugh, cry and resonate with quirky family traits.  Emma Cooper has written a real page-turner.  What genre is it you may ask?  It is many - saga, contemporary fiction, mystery to be solved, romance, - all wrapped up in a mother, father, teenage boy and girl family where tragedy has disrupted and scarred their lives, where love leads them to search for truth and face life and death together. 

You will find my comments too on Goodreads and Amazon.  

One small step for our planet....

In my endeavour to make small changes to help the planet I have come across a new search engine that helps PLANT TREES with every 45 or so searches.

I don't know about you, but my laptop and mobile phone automatically put Google on screen or on top search favourite so that each time I want to research something, buy something or want to access information of any kind I use the BIG G.

Now though, I use Ecosia - the app symbol is as in the picture above.  Trees are being planted in Ethiopia, Morocco, Brazil, Nicaragua, Tanzania and so many other countries and Ecosia post news of how many trees have been financed this way.  You can read about them on their bog: blog.ecosia.org.

It is free to use.  I have been using it and am very satisfied with this alternative way of searching on-line sites.  Do give it a go and let me know how you get on.

An Italian and British merger

Book Review - The Lemon Tree Café  by Cathy Bramley

This book is a jam sandwich of emotions.  It is typically British with a flavour of Italy.  It will make you hungry and you will want more.

This family run business gets a revive when Maria's grand-daughter Rosie leaves a city job and makes a Derbyshire village her preferred place to be.  Love, loss and loving again is mirrored between the generations with tragedies, trauma and trouble befalling them both.  An old man called Stanley and a young man named Gabe and his son Noah, help them trust their hearts again.

From big business to small local concerns, this will tickle the taste buds of young and old alike.  When life gives you lemons, make lemonade...…..

This book made me seriously think about 'bitterness' and how it affects ones heart; about open doors that let the bitterness flow in and out in ways that damage relationships; and of closed doors where peace dwells, endings happen to hurtful situations; where hearts heal and become whole again.  This is clearly woven into the lives of the characters of the owners of The Lemon Tree Café. 

It's tangy, it's sharp and it's squiggy.  It'll make your eyes water and zing your mind with a zest for life.

Loved it.  *****