Tuesday 29 January 2008

This weeks 5 STAR book recommendations

This week sees Nora Roberts Daring to Dream on our number one pick. SYNOPSIS - Raised together, Kate, Margo, and Laura are as close as real sisters, despite their differing backgrounds. Laura Templeton is the beloved daughter of the wealthy Templetons, Kate Powell is her orphaned cousin, and Margo Sullivan is the housekeeper's daughter. Margo has achieved fame and success far away from home, but her world comes crashing down when the man she thought she loved loses all her money and involves her in an international scandal. Devastated and broke, Margo has no choice but to return home to try to rebuild her life. Laura's older brother, Josh, has been in love with Margo for years. He's always disapproved of her lifestyle, but her unexpected return heats up the long dormant passion between them. (READ A REVIEW)

Number two is Obsession by Jonathan Kellerman. SYNOPSIS - Patty Bigelow thought she'd finally figured life out. Then her wayward sister Leila abandons her child, Tanya, on her doorstep. The aunt and troubled niece slowly learn to live together, with the help of Dr Alex Delaware's counselling. Now, fifteen years later, Tanya is back in Alex's office, a self-possessed Harvard student, about to enter graduate school in clinical psychology. Patty - the only real mother she's ever known - has died and left Tanya with a chilling legacy: a deathbed confession that her aunt murdered a man years earlier. Tanya has tried to let go of the confession. But it soon becomes clear that nothing short of finding out the truth will do. And she needs Alex's help... (READ A REVIEW)

The third, Simon Kernick’s Severed is an absolute must for all you crime and thriller lovers, this book is straight into action, blood and guts from the first few pages. SYNOPSIS - You wake up in a strange room on a bed covered in blood. You have no idea how you got there. Beside you is a dead girl: Your girlfriend. The phone rings, and a voice tells you to press play on the room's DVD machine. The film shows you killing your girlfriend. Then you're told to go to an address in East London where you're to deliver a briefcase and await further instructions. There's no way out. If you're to survive the next 24 hours, you must find out who killed your girlfriend, and why. Before they come for you too... (READ A REVIEW)

The fourth book is the eagerly awaited Tanya Ramsay’s Family Kitchen but can she measure up to her husband. This books certainly shows that she does. SYNOPSIS - Bestselling author, Tana Ramsay, knows the challenges of cooking for a demanding family -- as a mother of four and the wife of Gordon Ramsay, she's certainly put to the test. Now, for the first time in paperback, Tana shares the delicious recipes, kitchen secrets and shortcuts she uses to satisfy the Ramsay family. Time-pressed parents will swear by Tana's simple and delicious recipes -- although not in the traditional Gordon way. Tana has a tasty solution for every occasion, from lunch bites and tea-time treats to weekend lunches and party foods. She also offers personal tips on a wide range of issues all parents face, including how to adapt dishes to suit different ages and tastes and how to encourage children to experiment with food. Whether you only have minutes to rustle up Lime and Ginger Salmon Fillets or fancy a fun afternoon with the kids creating Gingerbread Lollies, this lavishly illustrated book is an adventure in the kitchen for adults and children alike. (READ A REVIEW)

Finally we have chosen Flirt by Kathleen Tessaro. SYNOPSIS - A delicious romantic comedy from the bestselling author of Elegance 'Unique situation available for attractive, well mannered, reasonably educated young man. Hours irregular. Pay generous. Discretion a must.' In a small office in Half Moon Street, Hughie Venables-Smythe discovers the world of the professional flirt. A timeless art, it can save a marriage or lift a heart faster than any therapy. Letitia Vane runs a bespoke lingerie shop in Belgravia and understands just how to make women feel beautiful. But she cannot let her guard down and fall in love, least of all with Hughie. Olivia Bourgault de Coudray is in an unhappy marriage to a very wealthy man. When a series of beautiful notecards begins to appear, with intriguing clues handwritten on each, her interest is piqued. But the same clues are being delivered to Letitia. Who is flirting with whom? And is flirtation as innocent as it seems -- or can it lead to far more dangerous territories of the heart? (READ A REVIEW)









Monday 10 December 2007

Christmas Books for HER

Christmas is that perfect time to give and receive books and it simply would not be christmas without a book to read over the festive season. So with that in mind, Books4TheBeach have put a selection of books together that would make that perfect gift for HER.


Synopsis
A practical illustrated book on fashion, beauty and style. It reveals secrets on dressing for special occasions, everyday wear, accessorizing, holiday tips and making the most of your wardrobe. It aims to make you feel confident - whether you're getting ready for work, a night out on the town or even doing the school run.





Synopsis
This is a glittering and sexy story of passion and betrayal and one woman's search for true love. Crystal is beautiful, talented and ambitious. All her life she has dreamed of making it as a singer.After years of trying to break into the music industry her chance finally comes when her girl band enters a TV reality show contest. But Crystal has a secret. She's fallen for the wrong man and this one mistake could cost her everything - her friendships, her fame and her chance of ever finding love again.


Synopsis
Nigella and her style of cookery have earned a special place in our lives, symbolising all that is best, most pleasurable, most hands-on and least fussy about good food. But that doesn't mean she wants us to spend hours in the kitchen, slaving over a hot stove. Featuring fabulous fast foods, ingenious short cuts, terrific time-saving ideas, effortless entertaining and easy, delicious meals, "Nigella Express" is her solution to eating well when time is short.


Synopsis
WHICH BODY SHAPE ARE YOU? A Skittle, Goblet, Hourglass, Cornet, Cello, Apple, Column, Bell, Vase, Brick, Lollipop or a Pear...Trinny & Susannah have identified 12 classic women's body shapes. In each case, it is proportion, not size, that matters. So whether you are a skinny, average or larger Skittle, Cello, Apple or Pear, the same principles of dressing will apply.Using real-life women, they analyse in depth each shape and show how to choose the clothes that fit and flatter it. They show the most common dressing mistakes and the three best looks.


Synopsis
Now in its fifth year, this diary doesn't just record your daily doings; it dictates them, resulting in what the editors call 'extreme self-improvement'. Part instruction book, part religious cult, part sheer mayhem, this anarchic humour bestseller is guaranteed to change anyone's life, and who knows? It may even be for the better..."Guaranteed to make you smile" - "The Times". "52 weeks of hilarious ideas" - "Dublin Evening Herald"

Sunday 9 December 2007

Christmas Books for HIM

Christmas is that perfect time to give and receive books and it simply would not be christmas without a book to read over the festive season. So with that in mind, Books4TheBeach have put a selection of books together that would make that perfect gift for HIM.

Synopsis

Bobby Charlton is Manchester United through and through. He was a member of the original 'Busby Babes' and has devoted his career to the club, playing in 754 games over 17 years. Here, he tells the story of those United years.








Synopsis

Puts British common sense back where it belongs. This book brings together the wit and wisdom of the Pub Landlord, and the thoughts of the locals at Al's pub. Together they speak for generations of down-to-earth, normal, hard working, sensible, law abiding, tax paying, normal, hard working, honourable, decent, reasonable people - British people.







Synopsis

Body Guarding a TV crew on the streets of war-torn Basra, ex-deniable operator Nick Stone seems certain to die when insurgent gunmen attack. Only the reporter's swift action saves his life. When the reporter vanishes within hours, presumed kidnapped, Stone is asked to find him. The trail leads from Iraq to London, Dublin, and ultimately Kabul.






Synopsis
Lewis Hamilton's explosive arrival on the Formula 1 scene has made front-page headlines. In My Story, for the first time Lewis opens up about his stunning debut season, including the gripping climax to the 2007 F1 World Championship, as well as his dad Anthony, his home life and his early years. The only book with the real story, as told by Lewis.




Synopsis

It's an offer you can't refuse. Who would not to wish to be the man in charge of Ankh-Morpork's Royal Mint and the bank next door? It's a job for life. But, as former con-man Moist von Lipwig is learning, the life is not necessarily for long.The Chief Cashier is almost certainly a vampire. There's something nameless in the cellar (and the cellar itself is pretty nameless), it turns out that the Royal Mint runs at a loss. A 300 year old wizard is after his girlfriend, he's about to be exposed as a fraud, but the Assassins Guild might get him first.In fact lot of people want him dead Oh. And every day he has to take the Chairman for walkies. Everywhere he looks he's making enemies.What he should be doing is ...Making Money!

Tuesday 4 December 2007

World Without End - Ken Follett

Review
-
After Reading "Pillars of the Earth" I could not wait to read this one and purchased World Without End as soon as it was released. From the very first chapter I was captured by this book and immediately entered into the world of medieval Britain and into the lives of ordinary people living and working in towns and villages.

"World Without End" has many of the themes of “pillars of the Earth”, but with a new building project being one of the story-lines, Follett makes this book feel fresh and new. This book is a long read and has a thousand plus pages, but the characters are interesting and you get a real sense of their personalities and their lives.

You need not have read “Pillars of the Earth” to understand “World Without End” since this book is set two hundred years later and Follett does an exceptional job of referring back to his earlier work. However for those of you that have read and enjoyed “Pillars of the Earth”, it is fair to say in my opinion you will absolutely love this and will no doubt find yourself reading this book at every opportunity. written by Amy Walker - Hampshire

Synopsis - On the day after Halloween, in the year 1327, four children slip away from the cathedral city of Kingsbridge. They are a thief, a bully, a boy genius and a girl who wants to be a doctor. In the forest they see two men killed. As adults, their lives will be braided together by ambition, love, greed and revenge. They will see prosperity and famine, plague and war. One boy will travel the world but come home in the end; the other will be a powerful, corrupt nobleman. One girl will defy the might of the medieval church; the other will pursue an impossible love. And always they will live under the long shadow of the unexplained killing they witnessed on that fateful childhood day. Ken Follett's masterful epic "The Pillars of the Earth" enchanted millions of readers with its compelling drama of war, passion and family conflict set around the building of a cathedral. Now "World Without End" takes readers back to medieval Kingsbridge two centuries later, as the men, women and children of the city once again grapple with the devastating sweep of historical change.

Monday 3 December 2007

Books4TheBeach.com launched today

(PRWEB)December 3, 2007 -- BOOKS4THEBEACH.com, a UK based online book site, announced its launch today promising online shoppers great choice and competitive prices.

BOOKS4THEBEACH.com aims to provide a huge selection of books primarily aimed at the general public who are looking for that great read to take on their vacation to read either on the plane, on the beach or around the pool. With fantastic selections on Crime and Thriller, Fiction, Biographies, Humour, Sport and much much more, online shoppers will be pleased to find as much as 50% reductions on thousands of popular and latest release titles.

Not only do BOOKS4THEBEACH.com provide a huge selection of fantastic reads for their customers (with over 700,000 titles + to choose from) they also offer an excellent travel section. With travel guides, phrase books and maps, travellers will be thrilled to find such a comprehensive and very competitive priced selection.

BOOKS4THEBEACH.com is fresh and offers a stress free shopping experience and includes browseable and searchable options. It also donates 1% of turnover to their chosen charity childflight.co.uk which is a charity raising money to help terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children.

Managing Director Anthony Franks comments "customers will also be pleased to know that BOOKS4THEBEACH will start to implement their plans to improve and grow the site within the first 12 months of business with the inclusion of additional features such as a holiday checklist, weather, currency converters and the addition of e-books.

Marketing Executive Joanne Wood recently launched their blog books4thebeach.blogspot.com which will include articles covering book recommendation, book reviews, news and monthly features.

Wednesday 28 November 2007

The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner is a story of two boys, growing up together roaming the streets of Kabul – Afghanistan. Amir and Hassen are like brothers; both growing up without the presence of a mother but their personalities couldn’t be more different. Amir, a Sunni Muslim and the son of a very affluent businessman is educated and very well read. Hassan is an illiterate Sh’ia Muslim and his father is a servant to Amir’s father, however, Hassan has an uncanny instinct for predicting exactly where a downed kite will land. Amir often uses his superior position to tease and mistreat Hassan but in 1975, on the day of Kabul's annual kite-fighting tournament, something unspeakable happens between the two boys. Written by Amir, a 40-year-old novelist living in United States, The Kite Runner tells the gripping story of a boyhood friendship destroyed by jealousy, fear, and the kind of ruthless evil that transcends mere politics. In my opinion the Kite Runner is a passionate and powerful story, a real page-turner, I found this book hard to put down.


Written by Joanne Franks

Tuesday 27 November 2007

Books that changed the world

Vintage Classics offers published writers such as Graham Greene, Harper Lee, Joseph Heller, Ernest Hemingway, Vaginia Woolf and Franz Kafka. These illustrious names are now joined by the greatest writers from previous centuries including George Eliot, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Henry James, and Oscar Wilde. Vintage aims to publish the best writers of today, tomorrow and yesterday.

There are ten Vintage Classic Twins to collect. Each Twin consists of two books: a specially designed limited edition of one modern classic title and one established classic work. These books have been carefully selected to provide a thought-provoking combination
  • VINTAGE CRIME
  • VINTAGE FANTASY
  • VINTAGE FEAR
  • VINTAGE LIES
  • VINTAGE LOVE
  • VINTAGE LUST
  • VINTAGE MONSTERS
  • VINTAGE SATIRE
  • VINTAGE SIN
  • VINTAGE YOUTH

Our first weekly feature of vintage classics will look at the Vintage Twin...

Vintage Crime
Patricia Highsmith - Ripley's Game
Tom Riply detested murder. Unless it was absolutely necessary. If possible, he prefered someone to do the dirty work. In this case someone with no criminal record, who had an unusual but pressing reason to agree to commit 'two simple murders' for a very generous fee...
Fyodor Dostoevsky - Crime and Punishment
A troubled young man commits the perfect crime - the murder of a vile pawnbroker whom no one will miss. Raskolnikov is desperate for money, but convinces himself that his motive for the murder is to benefit mankind. So begins one of the greatest novels ever written, a journey into the criminal mind, a police thriller, and a philosophical meditation on morality and redemption