The Novel Cafe: March 2014

The Love Detective by Alexandra Potter

and

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Well we are half way through The Novel Cafe book challenge, I hope you are enjoying it as much as we are! Here goes with books number 5 and 6.....

'In a way, I'm a bit of a love detective. Because what's a greater mystery than love?' Meet Ruby Miller. A writer who makes happy-ever-afters happen. Until she discovers her fiance is a lying cheat and loses her faith in love. So when her sister invites her on a beach holiday to Goa to forget about him, Ruby jumps on a plane . . . and into an extraordinary adventure. Stolen bags, a runaway sister and a handsome American stranger sweep Ruby into a magical mystery tour across India. Amid fortresses and fortune tellers, and a whirlwind of weddings, she uncovers fascinating stories of love, lost and found. But as the mysteries deepen, secrets are revealed that turn Ruby's life upside down. And what started as a journey to find her sister, becomes a journey to find herself - and love - again.

Review by Nicole

Proof copy received from publisher - Thank you

When this book came through my letterbox the first thing I thought was how nice the front cover was! It's so colourful and girly. I know we should never judge a book by its cover but I can't help but do it - its my weakness! I wasn't disappointed once I started reading either.

Ruby Miller is a romantic novelist but being left broken hearted by her former fiance has lost her belief in love. Struggling with writer's block her agent suggests a short holiday to Goa to catch up with her little sister Amy who has been travelling. Ruby takes her advice and heads out to India but the relaxing holiday she was hoping for turns into the nonstop adventure of her life. Chasing her sister across the country, meeting annoying yet charming American men and battling disaster after disaster whilst still getting a real taste of life in India, Ruby's story is one you won't want to miss.

What I really liked about this book was how clear it was that Alexandra had travelled to India to carry out research before writing it. I'm not a fan of travelling myself, a true homegirl but the graphic detail and description of the country and its wonders in this book are truly amazing and really do make you want to experience it for yourself. It could not be written by someone who hadn't been there and got the t-shirt - as they say!

I really liked Ruby's character, she was very genuine and down to earth. I loved how much she cared for her sister and how she openly welcomed many people into her life whilst on her journey across India. Especially her new american fellow traveller Jack! Jack's character too was very likeable, there was just something about him.Potter did however very much keep his story a mystery throughout the book which I liked and it kept me intrigued.

I rate this book 8/10, a chocolate brownie. A good laugh out loud, fun read which was also inspirational and heartwarming. This is the first of a new series for Alexandra Potter so i am excited to read where Ruby heads next!

The tales of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad. When Mole goes boating with the Water Rat instead of spring-cleaning, he discovers a new world. As well as the river and the Wild Wood, there is Toad's craze for fast travel which leads him and his friends on a whirl of trains, barges, gipsy caravans and motor cars and even into battle.

Review by Laura

Wind In The Willows is a classic story that many of us have at least heard parts of as children. I was so excited to get stuck into it as an adult and to read the whole story from start to finish and be reminded of the tales of Mole, Water Rat, Toad and Badger.

I was so impressed at how the story had still not lost any of its magic and charm that it held for me as a child and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. However, it was not an easy read and I found it quite slow going. As with many classics, I find that there is a lot of emphasis on describing the surroundings rather than the actual story which is something that I find frustrating and quite boring at times. That being said, once you get used to the style it is great fun. I particularly enjoyed the adventures of naughty Toad and his love of motor cars!

I wouldn't recommend it to everyone but I personally can't wait to read it to my little boy once he arrives, it’s such a lovely tale of little animals and their many adventures. I give this book 7/10...a Novel Cafe chocolate brownie.

Literary Leading Men

By Julie Shackman

I am thrilled to welcome to The Novel Cafe and introduce to you all author Julie Shackman - Julie has very kindly taken the time to write an author special so big thank you to her. Julie's debut book 'Rock my World' is out now.

What, in my view, makes the perfect Literary Leading Man?

In order to answer this question, I sat and poured over the likes of Mr Darcy, Heathcliff and Rhett Butler (yes, a terrible job, but somebody has to do it!) I came to a personal conclusion that it is their intensity. Of course, they are all undeniably attractive, but their seething passion as well, that for me, makes these literary gents so appealing.

Switch to modern day novels and one of the most hypnotic heroes for me, is Hazel Osmond’s Jack Wolfe. If you haven't read “Who’s Afraid of Mr Wolfe?” I would highly recommend it. This novel left me breathless at times, as well as laughing and feeling empathy at other moments.

Jack Wolfe is dark, dangerous and so Alpha male, he makes Guy the Gorilla look like a cuddly toy. He is also trying to suppress his own demons and self-doubts, despite felling women at twenty paces, with his uninhibited sexiness. In some ways, he did remind me of a modern day Heathcliff.

In my debut contemporary romance novel, “Rock My World”, I wanted to create two male characters who readers would feel attracted to, as well as identify with them.

Stevie Vee, my long-haired, ghostly rock singer, is charismatic and passionate about his music. He is left reeling after some major personal discoveries.

Matt Jardine, my wolf-eyed, sexy journalist, is knocked sideways after meeting my protagonist, Ruby Cameron. He can't seem to comprehend that she isn’t remotely like the sort of girls he’s used to – and not as easily impressed either…..

For me, reading is all the more enjoyable when you lose yourself inside the characters and feel
attraction, sympathy and understanding for them and their situation. I have strived to achieve this with “Rock My World.” If my readers feel connections with rocker Stevie and dashing Matt, then I’ll be absolutely delighted. It hasn't been easy you know, writing about these two cuties every day – well, ok it wasn’t exactly a hardship!

Good luck with your writing and enjoy reading.

I’m just off to reminisce about Matt’s eyes again…..hypnotic, wolf-like grey, don't you know….!

Julie Shackman

February 2014.