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Wedding Bells for the East End Library Girls by Patricia MCBride #Review

  The fifth in Patricia McBrides' wartime saga, Wedding Bells for the East End Library Girls was published by Boldwood Books on August 14th. The library girls are determined to keep their community’s spirits high. With their beloved library damaged by bombing, they’ve found a temporary home in the local school, but they long to return to the place they love. Mavis’s wedding should be a time of joy, but beneath the celebrations, she carries a secret. Determined to stay strong, she refuses to dampen the happiness of those around her. Jane is finally stepping into the life she deserves. After years of self-doubt, she is beginning to find her confidence and – with the support of her two best friends – perhaps even an opportunity she never thought possible. And for Cordelia, hope is also on the horizon. As the war winds down, her partner Robert may finally return from Africa. For the first time in a long time she is looking forward to a future filled with love and joy. But da...
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The Brazilian by Rosie Millard ** Blog Tour Review**

Today, I am happy to feature Rosie Millard's latest summer read, The Brazilian on Books, Life and Everything. 

Following a sensational scandal at one of London’s most desired postcodes, Jane and Patrick decide to escape the gossip with a family holiday to Ibiza, their eight-year-old son George in tow. 

Also on the island that week is a TV reality show involving an eccentric artist, a horny It Girl, a Brazilian footballer and a famous magician. 

As hapless celebrities are picked off one by one, Jane is desperate to be on the programme, leaving childcare in the not so capable hands of a teenager…

My Thoughts

If you are looking for a great holiday read, The Brazilian is going to fit the bill. Set in Ibiza, you are given sea, sun and a story centring on a whole cast of characters, each with their own particular foibles. It's funny yet at the same time, acutely observed and written with energy and pace.

    As Jane's family holiday seems in danger of falling flat, her middle class pretensions and self-centred behaviour is mercilessly exposed by the author. Just how far will she go to chase fame and a place in a rather tawdry reality show Ibiza (or Bust)? The name of the show tells you all you need to know about it and its cast and crew are ripe for comedy. One by one, the would-be celebrities are voted off.

    In the centre of all the mayhem George, Jane's young son, is quite delightful as he sets about tracking down his friends from home. Needless to say, they are not welcomed by his mother who feels they are beneath her aspirational lifestyle. Jane has lost sight of the family values which George's friends' family typify. Even Jane's husband can sense that there is something wrong with Jane's model of motherhood and family time. 

    The Brazilian is the follow-up to The Square, where many of the characters feature and are introduced. Sharply observed, with lashings of wit and humour, it was great to escape to Ibiza for a time.

    In short:  fun and sun- comedy with edge


About the Author


Rosie is a journalist and author and she is the Chair of Hull UK City of Culture 2017. She writes features and columns in newspapers, and does a bit of TV and radio. Rosie has written a couple of non fiction books and a couple of novels, and she also likes running marathons.

 She is a graduate of the University of Hull, London College of Communication and the Courtauld Institute. She has been a Trustee of the Carnegie (UK) Foundation, Home Live Art and Modern Art Oxford.

Rosie has four children and lives in London.


You can follow Rosie here:  Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook 

  Amazon UK  

Thanks to Imogen Harris of Legend press and Rosie Millard for a copy of the book and a place on the Blog Tour.


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