Lilywhite

Gypsy Lesley Pearse When teenagers Beth and Sam Bolton are orphaned, their baby sister is taken into a new home, so they decide to set sail for a new life too ... in America. On board the steamer to New York, Beth and Sam meet charismatic gambler Theo, and quick-witted Londoner Jack, and the four band together to seek their fortunes. Beth has always dreamed of playing her fiddle to large audiences ... and finds herself doing so in the saloons, where she is a huge success and lovingly nicknamed Gypsy by her fans. But the foursome fall foul of local gangsters and flee to Canada, as word gets out that gold has been found in the Klondike. They embark on a dangerous and epic journey to reach the Yukon valley, trailing across snowy mountains and treacherous rapids. Who will break first? Theo, the handsome-yet-greedy bounder? Dreamy Sam, so easily influenced by money? Practical Jack, a man devoted to his friends? Or Beth, the woman with the gypsy in her soul, who cares more for music than gold? Started: 21/06/09 Finished: 03/07/09 Rated: 3/5 Comments: It took me a while but I finally finished this book. Quite a long and eventful story. Very interesting as I've never read anything from the Gold Rush era. In typical Pearse style, a heartbreaking story at times but a wonderful heroine that you grow to love from the very start.

I've sent mum a text, just in case she doesn't see your message before 10pm. I wouldn't want her to miss it again.

I did but it's on my V+ box. Don't you have a catch up or on demand service with sky?? I really enjoyed the first two parts of this. I can't wait to see the rest of it now.

Now I'm intrigued I love books that are written across times and pull together characters and stories. I think I will definately be giving this one a go and will have to make room on my TBR pile for it imminently.

Great review Michelle. I might even be tempted to give this one a go although I'm not a massive Hyde fan after reading The Abortionists Daughter a year or two ago. From what I remember I just wasn't taken with the book at all. Maybe it's time to let go and start afresh?

I can't remember clearly what was the first of each genre I read. I've always been a reader so there's a good chance I've forgotten. From what I can remember my first horror was Stephen King. It was either Pet Semetary or The Shining. I read them both at the same time when I was about 11 or 12. Before that I had read the YA Goosebumps but King was my first full on adult horror. Fantasy is a difficult one but I think it may have been The Chronicals of Narnia or Alice in Wonderland. I've owned both since I was very young so I'm not sure. Sci Fi I have no idea. I'm not even sure if I've read one or not..... It's not my preferred style if you get me.

Has anyone else read any of her books? I read The Kings Pleasure and I thought it was fantastic. That one was about Katherine of Aragon and I loved they way she was written as such a headstrong and proud woman. I've managed to pick up a couple more of her books The Lost Queen about Caroline Matilda, youngest sister of George III and The Concubine about Anne Boleyn. Just wondered if anyone else had stumbled across her books and if there were any other recommendations about?

Whistleblower Tess Gerritsen When Victor Holland came flying out of the night, he ran straight into the path of Catherine Weaver's car. Having uncovered a terrifying secret which leads all the way to Washington, Victor is running for his life - and from the men who will go to any lengths to silence him.Victor's story sounds like the ravings of a mad-man, but the haunted look in his eyes - and the bullet hole in his shoulder - tell a different story.As each hour brings pursuers ever closer, Cathy has to wonder, is she giving her trust to a man in danger or trusting her life to a dangerous man? Started: 18/06/09 Finished: 21/06/09 Rated: 3/5 Comments: Not one of Tess' best books. An ok read but not in the same league as the Rizzolli books. Didn't really have much depth to it.

Last night was tortilla wraps made with chicken in a hoi sin and garlic sauce. Not sure about tonight....

From what I've gathered, this is going to be a four parter. Starting tomorrow night at 9pm. Just watching an interview with Martina on the BBC and she's brilliant.

Blood is the New Black Valerie Stivers The Devil may wear Prada, but real fashion taste is in the blood… When Kate is offered an internship at a top fashion mag Tasty, everyone tells her she’s the luckiest girl alive. But Kate’s not so sure. Her fellow interns are bitchy, her superiors are backstabbing, and she’s constantly getting it in the neck from her boss. Then people start to go missing, and Kate starts to really worry. Why is everyone condescending, black clad and emaciated? Doesn’t anyone sleep? What’s with the sharp teeth? Are they…vampires? Armed with a stake, a crucifix, and James the cute photo assistant, Kate sets off for a showdown – only to realise that she’s more out of her depth than a homeless person in Herm

Ritual Mo Hayder Just after lunch on a Tuesday in April, nine feet under water, police diver Flea Marley closes her gloved fingers around a human hand. The fact that there's no body attached is disturbing enough. Yet more disturbing is the discovery, a day later, of the matching hand. Both have been recently amputated, and the indications are that the victim was still alive when they were removed. DI Jack Caffery has been newly seconded to the Major Crime Investigation Unit in Bristol. He and Flea soon establish that the hands belong to a boy who has recently disappeared. Their search for him - and for his abductor - lead them into the darkest recesses of Bristol's underworld, where drug addiction is rife, where street-kids sell themselves for a hit, and where an ancient evil lurks; an evil that feeds off the blood - and flesh - of others... Started: 11/06/09 Finished: 15/06/09 Rated: 4/5 Comments: It's nice to see DI Caffery back. I love Mo's books (with the exception of Pig Island) and I feel she's got her older writing style back. Well thought out crime novels that go slightly further than any others. Not afraid to tackle those issues other writers shy away from.

Undead and Unpopular Mary Janice Davidson Betsy Taylor, Vampire Queen, already has plenty on her plate. For one thing, next week is her birthday - the big 3-1 in human years, and one in undead years. (Yes, she bit the dust on her birthday last year.) On top of that, she still has wedding plans to finalize - and it's not helping that the prospective groom is avoiding anything to do with it. And then there's her decision to stop drinking blood - something she has yet to share with Eric Sinclair, her fiance - who also happens to be the vampire king...So the last thing she wants to deal with is uninvited guests, even if they happen to be the powerful European vampires who have finally come to pay their respects the week before her birthday. Some of them don't want Betsy as their Queen, and will do anything to get rid of her. As if turning thirty last year (not to mention dying) hadn't been traumatic enough. And trying to give up blood is making her really cranky...But who has time to sulk? Well, Betsy does... Started: 10/06/09 Finished: 10/06/09 Rated: 3/5 Comments: Another easy read. I do love this series of books. It's almost Sex and the City meets Vampires. Very girly but incredibly funny. You just have to love Betsy.

Rosti's for the win

I'm generally a hazard zone anyway so mishaps in the kitchen are no suprise. My latest was the other day, I was making casserole. It was nearly done so I thought I would turn down the heat and let it simmer for a while. What I actually did was turn the wrong dial, turning the ring next to the casserole on full. I also left the wooden spoon next to the ring..... Cue odd burning smell that had me running for the kitchen. It's not the first kitchen utensil I have ruined.....

I had a cheese and brocolli bake thing with potato rosti's. A first for me as I don't eat brocolli. Mmmm Rostis

Very effective method of fiing all technologies..... that and a bat!

Black Widow Jessie Keane Annie Bailey had done it all; Madam, mistress and Gangster's moll. Now she's Annie Carter, and she taking over the East End. Annie knew that it wouldn't last. Everything was going so well; she was living in Majorca, had Max Carter - the head of the Carter firm by her side, and had given him a beautiful daughter, Layla. But if there was one thing life had taught her, it was that everything could change in the blink of an eye. One minute she's lying by the pool, the next she's out cold. When she comes round Max and Layla are gone. It's not long before she gets the demands. They want money or she'll be getting her little girl back in pieces! There's only one thing Annie can do, she heads back to the East End of London and gathers the Carter firm together. Someone has snatched her husband and child. Now there's a score to settle, and it's being settled Annie Carter style! Started: 06/06/09 Finished: 10/06/09 Rated: 3/5 Comments: Although the book claims to be 'As good as Martina Cole or your money back', I don't think I would go that far. They are big boots to fill and noone has come close in my eyes. On the other hand, it's not a bad book. It's a bit wishy washy for my liking although I enjoyed the story. Just not enough depth of character for me. Still, an easy read, not too much grey matter needed to engage in the plot.

Pizza With ham and pineapple topping.

June 17th!!! It looks like it might be a mini series or a two parter at lease as they announced it 'starts June 17th' Looking forward to this one

I agree Karen. I always thought they should have been together! Loved the final episode. I'm a bit disappointed it didn't go out on a bang but at the same time, happy it ended in a 'life carries on' kinda way. (If you get what I mean...?) It was good to see a lot of the old cast together again and I like the way everyone gathered together at the end for a final goodbye. I will definately miss this series and the genius that went into writing it.

Loved Diversity tonight. They are fantastic.