Jo Linsdell

Book Review: The Mother at Number Nine by Grant Kessler

2026-10-01T07:00:00.000+02:00

My thoughts about The Mother at Number Nine by Grant Kessler

If you are looking for a gripping domestic suspense that keeps you hooked from the very first page, The Mother at Number Nine by Grant Kessler needs to be on your radar. Between juggling a heavy caseload as a social worker and raising her six-year-old daughter, single mum Claire Halloway is already stretched to breaking point—making her the perfect target when a seemingly dream neighbour moves in across the street. I flew through this psychological thriller for my latest Clock Reading Challenge entry, and it completely blew me away. Here are my thoughts on why this 5-star page-turner is an absolute must-read!

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ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0G45CY197
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 26, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 245 pages

The book synopsis for The Mother at Number Nine by Grant Kessler

She feeds your daughter. She listens to your secrets. She wants your life.Claire Halloway is a burnt-out social worker running on caffeine and guilt. Between a crushing caseload and raising her six-year-old daughter, Lilly, she is constantly one mistake away from disaster.

Then she meets Jade.

Jade lives at Number Nine. She is the neighbor everyone dreams wealthy, serene, and always there with a glass of wine and a listening ear. She bakes cookies with Lilly. She picks her up from school. She offers Claire the one thing she desperately a friend.

But as Claire’s life begins to unravel—missed appointments, memory gaps, and anonymous letters threatening her career—Jade is always there to pick up the pieces.

Ideally positioned to step in. Ideally positioned to take over.

Claire suspects she is being gaslighted, but her history of instability makes her the perfect victim. Is she truly losing her grip on reality, or is the woman across the street executing a revenge plot seven years in the making?

By the time Claire realizes the truth, the trap has already snapped shut. And the only way out is to confront a ghost from a past she thought was buried forever.

Perfect for fans of gripping domestic suspense and twisty psychological thrillers, The Mother at Number Nine will keep you reading late into the night. Prepare for a shocking ending you won't see coming.

Discussing The Mother at Number Nine by Grant Kessler

My Review Summary:

Key Takeaways from the video:

Book & Rating: I reviewed The Mother at Number Nine and gave it a full 5-star rating—it was a total page-turner that pleasantly surprised me.
Reading Challenge: This book officially ticked off my number 9 spot for this year's Clock Reading Challenge.
Plot & Premise: The story follows Claire Holloway, a social worker of 15 years and single mum to a six-year-old, who is struggling to balance a heavy workload, bills, and family life. When a new neighbour moves into number nine, an apparently chance encounter sparks a friendship between them and their children.
Suspense & Twists: It is clear right from the start who the neighbour is and what her mission is. As the story unfolds, the system Claire trusted crumbles, tension escalates, and I found myself flying through the pages to see just how far things would go.
Themes & Content Warnings: I noted a few trigger warnings for readers, as the plot deals with social work, family separation, and underlying themes of minor abuse (though without graphic detail).
Final Recommendation: I thought it was a brilliant psychological thriller, topped off with a fantastic author's note at the end that really landed the message home. I thoroughly recommend checking it out!

Quotes from The Mother at Number Nine by Grant Kessler

The disaster started, as disasters often do, with something small.

Some people were simply built for motherhood—patient, organized, endlessly capable. And some people were Claire.

"The fantasy of escape isn't the same as actually leaving. Every mother has moments when the weight gets too heavy. The ones who claim otherwise are either lying or not paying attention."

Claire Halloway had made the recommendation that destroyed Sarah's family. Now Claire Halloway would learn how it felt.

The rules had changed. It was time to learn how to play by new ones.

Where to find The Mother at Number Nine by Grant Kessler online:

Buy the book: The Mother at Number Nine Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelves: The Mother at Number Nine on Goodreads

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Product Review: Schwarzkopf Gliss Ultimate Repair Shampoo

2026-09-30T07:00:00.000+02:00

Product Review: Schwarzkopf Gliss Ultimate Repair Shampoo

If you have been struggling with dry, damaged, or over-processed hair, you will know how frustrating the search for a truly nourishing shampoo can be. Many formulas claim to restore moisture, only to leave hair feeling weighed down or strip it further.

I recently decided to test out the Schwarzkopf Gliss Ultimate Repair Shampoo, and I was thoroughly impressed by the results. Here is my complete review of how it performs, its key benefits, and who it works best for.

Product details

"Is your hair severely damaged and dry? Your hair loses keratin over time, causing its structure to weaken. It requires extreme repair care to refill these keratin losses. Gliss Ultimate Repair combines Liquid Keratin and Pearl Extract to precisely refill lost keratin and intensively repair the hair structure."

Gliss classifies this line as Care Level 3 — Deep Care, which is their highest level of intensive treatment designed for severely damaged, bleached, or heavily heat-styled hair.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water, Eau), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Pearl, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium Benzoate, Amodimethicone, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycol Distearate, Laureth-4, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Glycerin, Laureth-23, Trideceth-10, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol.

You might also like: Product Review: L’Oréal Elvive Bond Repair Leave-In Serum

Review

The shampoo comes in a sleek black bottle and has a rich, creamy consistency. A small amount lathers up easily, covering the scalp and lengths without needing an excessive amount of product. It carries a pleasant, salon-like scent that feels luxurious during application without being overpowering.

My main requirement when testing a repairing shampoo is whether it restores softness without stripping away natural oils. The Ultimate Repair line features liquid keratin and black pearl extract designed to reconstruct the hair structure and fill in damaged areas.

Here are my main observations after using it:

Incredible Silkiness: My hair felt noticeably smoother and silkier right from the first wash. It eliminated rough ends and made detangling significantly easier.
Deep Hydration: It provided a strong moisture boost to parched lengths without leaving a greasy residue behind.
Improved Manageability: Drying and styling felt smoother, with far less frizz and flyaways than usual.

I would wholeheartedly recommend the Schwarzkopf Gliss Ultimate Repair Shampoo to anyone dealing with dry or stressed hair. It delivers an immediate boost in texture, leaving hair feeling silky, soft, and visibly healthier.

For dry, damaged, or coarse hair in need of serious repair, this is a budget-friendly powerhouse that genuinely delivers on its promises.

Buy now: Schwarzkopf Gliss Ultimate Repair Shampoo

Looking for more lifestyle inspiration?

Whether you are planning your next travel adventure, looking for wellness and beauty tips, or upgrading your home and garden, I have got you covered. Click a button below to explore!

Travel Health & Fitness Hair & Beauty Home & Garden

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Europe Traveller Book Tag

2026-09-29T07:00:00.000+02:00

Europe Traveller Book Tag

It’s been a while since I completed a book tag, so when I spotted the Europe Traveller Book Tag over on

Twirling Book Princess

, I couldn't resist joining in!

You can find more book tags on my page here.

Watch my video below for my full responses to each prompt, or scroll down for the write-up!

France – Your favourite love story

Pick: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Chosen for its re-readability, iconic adaptations, and Austen's deep understanding of flawed, realistic characters.

Spain – A colourful cover

Pick: Enola Holmes 6 - The Case of the Disappearing Duchess by Nancy Springer (Read my full review here.

Highlights a bright rainbow cover within an overall colourful series.

Italy – A book taking place in Summer

Pick: The Key to Surviving Summer by Sandi Van (Read my full review here.)

A five-star mystery thriller set entirely during the summer, reflecting the ongoing hot heatwave in Rome.

Greece – A book with mythology

Pick: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Read my full review here.)

Selected for a love of the series and its Greek mythology foundation.

Belgium – A book with politics

Pick: Nine Lives by Tom Barber (Read my full review here.)

A suspense thriller featuring strong political undertones, even though political themes aren't usually a personal preference.

Ireland – A book with a strong friendship group

Pick: The Weekend by Charlotte Wood (Read my full review here.)

Focuses on a group of four friends whose decades-long bond shifts following the death of one member.

The Netherlands – Flowers on the cover!

Pick: Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella (Read my full review here.)

Features sunflowers on the cover. Shared a memory of meeting Sophie Kinsella in Rome around 15 years ago and expressed interest in exploring her Madeleine Wickham novels.

Germany – A book taking place at Christmas

Pick: King of Christmas by J.E. Rowney (Read my full review here.)

A NetGalley pick offering a unique choose-your-own-adventure mystery/thriller format set during Christmas, rather than a typical holiday romance.

Over to You!

Have you read any of the books on my list? What book immediately comes to your mind when you think of mythology or summer reads? Let me know in the comments below!

I tag:

Anne from https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogspot.com/
Danielle from https://bookswithdansamend.wordpress.com/
Miranda from https://mirandasbookscape.wordpress.com/blog/

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Book Review: Eleven Numbers by Lee Child

2026-09-27T07:00:00.000+02:00

Books: My thoughts about Eleven Numbers by Lee Child

For today's post I'm reviewing Eleven Numbers by Lee Child. This book gets me number 11 in this year's Clock Reading Challenge!

Genres: Thriller, Short Stories, Mystery, Espionage, Novella, Suspense

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DFMNV4Z3
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Original Stories
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 50 pages

The book synopsis for Eleven Numbers by Lee Child

An American mathematician’s assignment in Russia spirals into a high-stakes maze of shifting loyalties and intrigue in a propulsive short thriller by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child.

Nathan Tyler is an unassuming professor at a middling American university with a rather obscure speciality in mathematics—in short, a nobody from nowhere. So why is the White House calling? Summoned to Washington, DC, for a top-secret briefing, Nathan discovers that he’s the key to a massive foreign intelligence breakthrough. Reading between the lines of a cryptic series of equations, he could open a door straight into the heart of the Kremlin and change the global balance of power forever. All he has to do is get to a meeting with the renowned Russian mathematician who created it. But when Nathan crashes headlong into a dangerous new game, the odds against him suddenly look a lot steeper.

Check out the Book Tags hub

4 Stars

Discussing Eleven Numbers by Lee Child

My Review Summary:

Key Takeaways from the video:

Book & Author: Eleven Numbers by Lee Child (an Amazon Original Short Story, ~50 pages).
Premise: Nathan Tyler, a maths professor, is summoned by the US President to infiltrate a conference in Russia undercover to decode defensive intelligence from a rival professor.
Standalone Note: Clarified that this story is completely separate from Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series.
Rating & Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed the pacing, tension, and surprising character development packed into such a brief read.
Key Highlights: High suspense, clever twists, and an engaging blend of mathematical problem-solving with classic espionage.
Recommendation: Strongly recommended for fans of spy thrillers, codebreaking, or quick reads—especially for Prime members who can grab it for free.
Next Steps: I am keen to dive into the Jack Reacher series next and am looking for recommendations from viewers on where to start!

Quotes from Eleven Numbers by Lee Child

Nathan Tyler was warned three times on the morning of his departure. The first time was by email. He read the message on his phone, before he got out of bed. It was from the airline. The words were boxed inside the same cheerful graphic as the meal selection and the Wi-Fi options the day before. But now the tone was dour. The State Department has determined that due to escalating international tensions, travel to your destination may not be safe and is not advised. Then, as if concerned, or pretending to be, the airline had added: Passengers wishing to change, delay or cancel their plans may do so at no additional cost.

Math could be surprisingly emotional, because most of the time it wasn’t. A rare moment of personal indulgence was to be savored. And celebrated.

Where to find Eleven Numbers by Lee Child online:

Buy the book: Eleven Numbers Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelves: Eleven Numbers on Goodreads

Want to know what others thought about this book? Check out these book reviews:

"Child had an intriguing premise, one that draws readers in and promises an enticing tale. Without a doubt, some of this is delivered to the reader." Read the full review by Eliza June Sapphire here.
"The story is simple but interesting and at least modestly suspenseful. I liked it because Tyler isn’t a tough guy." Read the full review by Tzer Island here.
"A quick read that was fun and had a surprise twist I just didn’t see coming." Read the full review by Vegan Book Blogger here.

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70 Creative Autumn Blog Post Ideas for Every Niche (Book, Beauty, Travel & More)

2026-09-26T07:00:00.000+02:00

70 Creative Autumn Blog Post Ideas for Every Niche (Book, Beauty, Travel & More)

If you’ve been here before, you’ll already know how much I like putting together idea lists! I figure my own personal brain-dumping might turn out to be useful for others too, and as everyone will approach each idea in their own unique way, idea lists are a win-win for everyone. Whether you’re looking to refresh your editorial calendar, beat a mid-season block, or simply lean into the cosy vibes, I’ve gathered a comprehensive list of blog post prompts organised by niche to inspire your autumn content. Grab a warm cup of tea, settle in, and let's get inspired!

Book Blogging

The Autumn TBR Stack: A showcase of the cosy reads, atmospheric thrillers, or gothic novels you are prioritising this season.
Seasonal Reading Tags: Participating in or creating an autumn-themed book tag (e.g., prompt-based posts tied to crisp leaves, warm drinks, or dark evenings).
Cosy Reading Nook Tour: A behind-the-scenes look at how you set up your ideal space for reading when the weather turns cold.
Best Gothic and Spooky Reads: A curated list of recommended horror, mystery, or classic gothic literature for October.
Books to Read Based on Your Favourite Autumn Comforts: Matching book recommendations to seasonal preferences, like hot cocoa, pumpkin spice, or rainy days.
Autumn Book-to-Movie Adaptation Reviews: Highlights or comparisons of books with upcoming or classic seasonal screen adaptations.
Literary Autumn Quotes: A roundup of evocative quotes from literature that celebrate the fall season.
Cosy Fantasy Recommendations: A spotlight on low-stakes, comforting fantasy books ideal for sweater weather.
Reading Habit Refresh for Autumn: Sharing how your reading routine, speed, or format preferences shift as the days shorten.
Bookish Autumn Wishlist: A feature on upcoming autumn book releases you are most eager to pick up.

Health & Fitness

Gentle Autumn Movement Routines: Low-impact workouts, indoor mobility sessions, or restorative stretches for cooler days.
Transitioning Your Exercise Routine for Cooler Weather: Tips on adapting outdoor activities, layering gear, and warming up properly as temperatures drop.
Autumn Wellness Habits: Simple daily habits to boost immunity, keep energy up, and manage seasonal transitions smoothly.
Cosy & Healthy Autumn Recipes: Nourishing seasonal meals, including hearty vegetable soups, roasted squash dishes, and slow-cooker ideas.
Managing Seasonal Affective Energy Shifts: Practical ways to keep your mood elevated and stay motivated during darker mornings.
Mindful Autumn Walking Ideas: How to turn crisp morning walks into grounding, screen-free mindfulness sessions.
Hydration and Skincare from the Inside Out: Staying hydrated and adjusting nutrition during the drier autumn months.
Designing a Restful Autumn Sleep Routine: Evening rituals and bedroom resets to promote deep, restorative sleep in colder weather.
Seasonal Whole Foods Spotlight: A beginner’s guide to cooking with autumn produce like apples, pears, root vegetables, and pumpkins.
Self-Care Night In: Ideas for a restorative autumn evening focused on relaxation, warm baths, and mental decompression.

Hair & Beauty

Autumn Hair Care Reset: Deep conditioning treatments, scalp care, and routines to repair summer damage.
Seasonal Hair Colour Inspiration: A roundup of warm tone trends, from rich chocolates and deep coppers to warm honey highlights.
Transitioning Your Skincare Routine: Swapping lightweight summer gels for richer moisture barriers and protective ingredients.
Cosy Autumn Makeup Looks: Soft brown eyeliner, warm berry lips, and golden-hour glowing skin tutorials or product guides.
Hand & Nail Care for Cold Weather: DIY manicures, autumnal nail art trends, and rich cuticle oil recommendations.
Top Autumn Fragrance Notes: A guide to warm, woody, vanilla, and spicy perfume profiles for the season.
Budget-Friendly DIY Hair Masks: Simple home recipes using natural ingredients to keep hair hydrated during autumn.
Overnight Hair Care for Autumn Friction: Protective hairstyles, silk pillowcases, and tips to eliminate frizz caused by autumn scarves and hats.
The Ultimate Autumn Evening Beauty Routine: Step-by-step nighttime pampering ritual for glowing autumn skin.
My Autumn Makeup Bag Staples: A review or breakdown of your personal go-to beauty products for fall.

Travel

Top Destinations for Autumn Foliage: A guide to the best spots locally or internationally for stunning autumn colours.
Cosy Weekend Getaway Ideas: Recommendations for rustic cabins, charming countryside villages, or relaxing spa breaks.
Autumn Day Trip Itineraries: A guide to local orchards, historical sites, nature reserves, or autumn markets.
Packing List for an Autumn Weekend Away: How to pack efficiently with versatile layers, footwear, and weather essentials.
Off-Season Travel Advantages: Why autumn is one of the best times to travel (fewer crowds, lower rates, mild weather).
Exploring Local Heritage Sites in Autumn: Highlighting historical spots, castles, or outdoor museums that shine in autumn light.
Autumn City Break Guide: Highlighting cosy coffee shops, indoor museums, and scenic city parks for a short break.
Essential Car Maintenance & Road Trip Prep: Tips for safe autumn driving, scenic drives, and packing a road trip emergency kit.
Budget-Friendly Autumn Outings: Fun, affordable seasonal activities to enjoy with family or friends nearby.
Photography Tips for Autumn Travel: How to capture vibrant foliage, soft golden hour light, and misty autumn landscapes.

Lifestyle

Autumn Bucket List: A list of fun seasonal activities, from apple picking and baking to bonfire nights.
Morning & Evening Routines for Autumn: Ideas for structuring your day around changing daylight hours and cooler temperatures.
How to Embrace "Hygge" This Season: Practical ways to bring warmth, contentment, and cosiness into everyday life.
Autumn Goal Setting Refresh: Reframing your goals for the final quarter of the year without overwhelming yourself.
Cosy Hobby Ideas to Try: Creative indoor hobbies for autumn, like knitting, journaling, sketching, or baking.
Seasonal Playlist & Media Recommendations: Favourite comforting podcasts, music playlists, and nostalgic TV shows or movies to watch.
Digital Detox for Cosy Season: Ideas for spending less time on screens and more time engaged in offline autumn activities.
Host a Cosy Autumn Gathering: Tips for hosting a low-stress autumn dinner party, game night, or movie marathon.
Work-from-Home Autumn Refresh: Adjusting your home office space for maximum light, warmth, and productivity in fall.
Reflecting on the Year So Far: A mid-autumn journal prompt collection to reflect on personal growth and set intentions for winter.

Home & Garden

Simple Autumn Home Decor Ideas: Low-cost, subtle ways to add warmth using textured throws, warm lighting, and natural elements.
Preparing the Garden for Autumn & Winter: Essential garden chores, soil enrichment, and plant protection ahead of cold weather.
DIY Autumn Wreaths & Centrepieces: Easy crafting tutorials using dried flowers, pinecones, foliage, and natural materials.
Autumn Planting Guide: What bulbs, perennials, and winter vegetables to plant in the garden now for spring results.
Cosy Lighting Guide: Swapping harsh overhead lighting for lamps, warm bulbs, and candles to create a relaxed ambience.
Deep Cleaning & Decluttering for the New Season: A practical room-by-room checklist to prepare your home for spending more time indoors.
Organising the Entryway for Cold Weather: Storage solutions for heavy coats, muddy boots, umbrellas, and winter accessories.
Harvesting & Preserving Garden Produce: Ideas for drying herbs, freezing crops, or making jams and preserves from autumn harvests.
Creating a Scented Home for Fall: Using essential oil blends, simmers on the stove, or candles to fill your home with autumn scents.
Outdoor Living in Autumn: Ways to keep patios and balconies usable with outdoor blankets, heaters, or fire pits.

Fashion & Style

Capsule Wardrobe for Autumn: A guide to mixing and matching key essential pieces for versatile autumn outfits.
Layering 101: How to layer different textures, lengths, and fabrics for both warmth and style.
Transitioning Summer Dresses to Autumn: Ideas for wearing summer wardrobe items into the cooler months with tights, knits, and boots.
Autumn Boot Guide: Comparing classic boot styles—from ankle boots to knee-highs—and how to style them.
Autumn Colour Palettes: How to introduce seasonal shades like rust, olive, mustard, and deep navy into your outfits.
Scarf & Accessory Styling Ideas: Creative ways to tie, layer, and style scarves, hats, and belts for autumn.
Knitwear Care Guide: How to wash, store, and de-pill wool and cashmere sweaters to keep them looking fresh.
Thrift & Vintage Shopping for Autumn: Tips for sourcing unique jackets, coats, and knitwear second-hand.
Rainy Day Style: Functional yet stylish outfit ideas for wet and windy autumn days.
Day-to-Night Autumn Outfits: Simple tweaks to take an everyday casual autumn look into an evening out.

Autumn is all about embracing a slower, cosier rhythm, and I hope these ideas give you plenty of inspiration for your content calendar this season! Whether you’re diving into a spooky read, sharing a favourite seasonal recipe, or giving your wardrobe a crisp autumnal refresh, there’s so much rich content to explore. Which idea are you most excited to try first? Let me know in the comments below - I’d love to see what you’re planning!

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First Lines Fridays 25th September 2026

2026-09-25T07:00:00.000+02:00

Books: First Lines Fridays 25th September 2026

Welcome to another edition of First Lines Friday! It’s time for our favourite weekly ritual where we set aside the glossy cover art and the back-cover blurbs to focus on one thing alone: can a book grab our attention from its very first sentence? Let’s dive into this week’s featured opening lines and see whether this pick earns a spot on your TBR list!

I'm participating in First Lines Fridays as I think it's a great way to highlight more of the books that are on my bookshelves.

What is First Lines Fridays?

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book!

My Pick For This Week

The first lines of the book:

“I am an adjunct unit sent to planet Earth on behalf of Infinity Entertainment Conglomerate and the Unified Confederation of Systems to demand that you hereby immediately cease and desist all use of the title Miss Universe in relation to any pageant or other merit-based competition. However, in the spirit of cooperation, you are invited to enter one contestant into the real Miss Universe Pageant to be held in the Moonphase Amphitheater on planet Infinity One in forty-five days’ time.” Karly Matthews had memorized the Message the first time she heard it played a week earlier on the news. Her father had ensured that she and her sister Beth grew up properly schooled in the science fiction classics: Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars and Karly had often entertained the notion that perhaps her work in genetics would somehow extend her family’s life long enough to actually witness contact with alien intelligence. And here she was, alive to hear Earth’s first communication from another intelligent civilization - an invitation to a beauty pageant.

Do you know which book this is from? Scroll down to find out!

And the book is...

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DF6HCQ4K
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 25, 2024
Print length ‏ : ‎ 292 pages

Book synopsis Miss Universe by David M. Jones

The aliens came to Earth with a threat and an offer. We must cease and desist all use of the name Miss Universe for our Earthbound pageants. But we are invited to send one candidate to compete in the real Miss Universe pageant on a planet thousands of light years away. Karly Matthews, a renowned geneticist, is chosen to accompany Earth’s delegate and train her in the skills she will need to survive an interplanetary competition. But as mishaps occur along the path, Karly learns that the greatest threat to Earth’s place among the intergalactic community isn’t the cadre of bizarre aliens, but humans themselves.

Where to find Miss Universe by David M. Jones online:

Get the book: Miss Universe Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelf: Miss Universe on Goodreads

Have you read this book? On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do these opening lines make you want to read the book?

You might also like: Books That Take Place in Bookstores or Libraries

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Book Review: Just Jane by Nancy Moser

2026-09-24T07:00:00.000+02:00

Books: My thoughts about Just Jane by Nancy Moser

After a forced break due to health problems, I'm finally getting back into reading again 🎉 Today I'm sharing my thoughts about Just Jane by Nancy Moser.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01LXEVHA5
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mustard Seed Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 13, 2016
Print length ‏ : ‎ 321 pages

The book synopsis for Just Jane by Nancy Moser

In this moving and authentic portrayal, Christy Award-winning author Nancy Moser transports readers back to the life and times of one of the literary world's beloved heroines, Jane Austen. Growing up in a clergyman's home gives Jane opportunities to observe human nature at its best—and worst. Vivid and delightful characters pour from her pen—Elizabeth Bennet, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Emma Woodhouse, Fanny Price, John Willoughby. . . . Jane dreams of publishing her stories and sharing them with the world, but how can she? She's just Jane from Steventon. Will anyone ever read her novels?

Part of the Women of History series.

4 stars

Discussing Just Jane by Nancy Moser

My Review Summary:

Key Takeaways from the video:

Health and Life Update: I’ve been absent recently due to hospitalisation from flare-ups of my chronic digestive issues, including IBS and diverticular disease. Because of the pain, hospital stays, and medications affecting my concentration, I haven't been able to read written words or get into audiobooks, so I've been binge-watching Netflix and Prime instead.

Book Reviewed: I finally finished reading Just Jane by Nancy Moser, a piece of biographical historical fiction based on the life of Jane Austen.

My Thoughts on Jane Austen: I am a huge fan of Jane Austen—especially Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility—and I love her character-driven stories and how brilliantly she communicates human emotion.

What I Liked About Just Jane:

The author did a fantastic job blending fact with fiction, backed by obvious deep research.
I loved the breakdown at the back of the book explaining what was historically accurate versus what was fictionalised.
It offered a wonderful, relatable portrayal of Jane, her large family, the social position and struggles of unmarried women at the time, and the reasons behind her long writing hiatus.

Who Should Read It:

Book Clubs & General Readers: It reads like great historical fiction, even if you know nothing about Austen.
Students: It provides valuable insight into her life, family dynamics, and historical context.
Writers: It includes great quotes and insights on writing, editing, staying true to characters, and being in the right head space to create.

My Takeaways & Next Steps: Reading this made me want to be best friends with Jane Austen and reignited my passion for her work. It has inspired me to bump Mansfield Park (which I haven't read yet) right up to the top of my TBR list, and I’d definitely read more biographical fiction by Nancy Moser.

Quotes from Just Jane by Nancy Moser

A person content to be bland will never be anyone’s first choice as a companion for an idle afternoon.

Alas, the females of our world—if they don’t find themselves a willing rich man—are bequeathed a life of obligation, forever beholden to the kind heart of some charitable relative to provide a roof that does not leak, a fireplace that does not smoke, and a meal that might occasionally contain meat. Such is our lot if we don’t marry well.

Ah, the burdens of imagination . . . when the evening didn’t play out according to my carefully created dialogue and staging, my disappointment grew to such an extent that others asked of my infirmity.

Mother shakes a finger. “Love is no game.” Although I hold with my contention, I don’t argue with her. For as with games, love is rife with strategies. It demands patience and extends just out of reach—the lure and promise of a winner. As well as a loser.

Children are the true riches of one’s life.

My stories wrap around me like a cozy quilt, and sometimes I long to pull that quilt over my head and pin the blanket shut, allowing me to immerse myself in the world vivid in my mind.

When I read a novel I’m not here. I’m transported to far-off places, my eyes unseeing of the words on the page, busy with a scene being played out in my mind’s eye, with my ears engaged, hearing the voices carry from the pen to the present. What a lovely place to be—not here.

Once again I place a hand upon the pages that are mine, all mine. Until now? Until someone beyond the family reads the words? I shiver at the thought with dread— And yes, excitement.

Five children in six years. Perhaps in their new manor home my brother and his wife should consider separate bedrooms.

Home. There is no sweeter word. I could fill a page with but that word and it would still not collect the credit it’s due.

We flirted shamelessly. We felt the stirrings of desire that come with such attention. And perhaps amid the stirrings, we even felt the seed of love being planted. But it was not fed nor watered nor tended. And so it died.

I am being expected to read it—during our visit. Although I love novels, my aunt’s presumption offends. I vow never to do such a thing to others—if I ever get published. If they wish to read my work, I will be pleased, but I will not force it upon anyone. Ever.

1800. I still find it difficult to write the number, and too many letters suffer a smudge as I err on the date. This change of year from one century to the next is sobering, as if something more is expected from each of us, as if the chasm between December thirty-first and January first is deep and wide, and in order to pass over it one must take stock with self-probing questions: What have I done with my life? What shall I do with the rest of it?

“You try. If you don’t ask the question, the answer is no.”

I have prospects—though neither they nor I know it. After all, ’tis I who danced nearly every dance at the balls this season. I am not a wallflower but a flower yet to fully bloom.

I don’t dwell in that place of maybes or possibilities. I am happy now, and now is what sustains me.

“You will never know what you can be until you try. Even the Bible speaks of the shame in keeping a light hidden under a basket. We must let the world see you shine, Jane. And I will do my best to make that happen.”

“You are a novelist now. A real novelist.” I both revel and am petrified by the title. “If that is true, then I must do what novelists do. I must become what I am. I must write.”

More words don’t necessarily mean the best words.

I’ve been told that after I was christened at the age of fourteen weeks, I was sent away until I was nearly two and more manageable. All of my siblings were done so as well. Of course, I don’t remember this, and yet . . . I’ve often wondered if I would have become a different sort if I had owned a mother who doted and coddled me. Cuddled me. Cooed to me. Would Mother and I be closer now? Or would I have become too dependent on love instead of feeling the need to guard myself from its very existence? It’s not that I don’t need love. I do. But I’m wary of it. Once given, will it be accepted? Or will it be removed? Of course, I’ve always had Cassandra to love me. As a sister and a mother.

I wish I could say their parting comes too soon. But I’m greatly comforted that it will not come later, especially after having witnessed the full extent of their house-guest shortcomings. As it is, I hope my memories will fail by the next time they develop an inclination to come call.

“If only women ruled the world,” I say. They are silent and stare after me. “Surely we could do no worse,” I offer.

People don’t always make wise choices. People don’t always have control over the choices made to them. People don’t always become all they should be. And yet . . . even within the complicated weavings of life, people can find happiness. If they chuse to seek it . . . differently. It is a question of survival. Adapt or perish. Learn or be defeated. Venture ever forward or cease to be. Life is not a fairy tale, and happily-ever-after has many measures.

’Tis a part of the writing life to hear what one does not want to hear.

Where to find Just Jane by Nancy Moser online:

Buy the book: Just Jane Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelves: Just Jane on Goodreads

Want to know what others thought about this book? Check out these book reviews:

"...recommended to Regency fans, Austen-lovers, and others who appreciate a quiet, fictionalized biography of an insightful and sometimes acerbic author who still influences our culture today." Read the full review on the Semicolon Blog.
"...Moser weaves the fact and fiction of Austen's life into a delightful and informative story that makes you want to learn more about Austen's life." Read the full review on the Reading to Know blog.
"I really loved reading about Jane's struggles, the details of her life and how she felt about her writing. I thought Moser did a pretty good job of portraying Jane's wit and the importance of her familial ties. I felt like I learned a lot. The author, as always, followed up the book with notes on what was real and which portions were filled in by her imagination." Read the full review on the Bookfoolery blog.

What would you like to explore next?

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Product Review: Cien Hydrating Hand Cream Aloe Vera-Bio

2026-09-23T12:58:00.000+02:00

Product Review: Cien Hydrating Hand Cream Aloe Vera-Bio

Finding a hand cream that deeply hydrates without leaving your hands feeling greasy or sticky can feel like a search for the holy grail—especially when you are on a budget. If you are looking for an affordable, everyday essential to keep in your handbag or on your desk, Cien's certified natural beauty line might already be on your radar.

In this review, I am taking a closer look at the Cien Hydrating Hand Cream Aloe Vera-Bio. Packed with organic ingredients and boasting impressive eco-friendly credentials, let's see how this budget-friendly staple performs in everyday life!

You might also like: Product Review: Cien Soft Moisturising Cream

Product details

This gentle hand cream with organic Aloe Vera absorbs quickly and pampers the skin with its intensive moisturising effect

. Its formulation with organic shea butter strengthens the skin's natural protective function and leaves it feeling supple and soft

Directions for Use: Apply on hands as needed

100% certified natural cosmetics
100% natural fragrances
Dermatologically tested
Formulation without microplastics

*50% recycled plastic without cap

Ingredients:

Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Alcohol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulina, Citral, Limonene.

You might also like: Product Review: Cien Eye Contour Cream Aloe Vera-Bio

Review

I'm really pleased with the Cien range. They offer great products with a budget friendly price tag. The Cien Hydrating Hand Cream Aloe Vera-Bio is exactly what I expected of them.

A small amount goes a long way so the tube lasts for ages making it even better value for money.

The cream is fresh and absorbs well into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling. The smell is light and fresh. It leaves the skin feeling smooth and hydrated.

If you're looking for a good budget friendly hand cream this one is worth giving a try.

Looking for more lifestyle inspiration?

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Travel Health & Fitness Hair & Beauty Home & Garden

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Unboxing and Review of Temu Rechargeable Portable Shower

2026-09-22T07:00:00.000+02:00

Unboxing and Review of Temu Rechargeable Portable Shower

Welcome back to the blog! If you've been following my recent updates, you'll know we've had our hands full getting our new plot of land sorted out near Poli, just outside Rome. With the ongoing summer heatwave and no permanent electrical hookup on-site yet, finding practical off-grid solutions to stay cool whilst gardening has become a bit of a priority!

Today, I'm sharing an unboxing and practical review of a budget-friendly gadget I picked up recently: a rechargeable portable outdoor shower from Temu.

If you are working on your own outdoor space, feel free to check out my Home and Garden Hub for more inspiration and project updates.

Product details

Ordered from Temu. Item ID 9WMX45196G

Product features:

Pumping mechanism: Works by dropping the pump end directly into a bucket of water.
Hose length: Includes a 150 cm tube.
Battery & Charging: Features an on/off switch and a USB charging cable (suitable for charging via a car).
Mounting options: Includes both a suction mount and a hook attachment for hanging on surfaces like tree branches.
Shower head: Lightweight head featuring multiple spray settings.

Review

Watch my video unboxing and review here or keep scrolling for the written summary.

Having recently taken delivery of a portable outdoor shower from Temu, I wanted to put it through its paces to see if a €20 gadget could truly deliver off-grid relief.

First Impressions & Features Out of the box, the unit feels remarkably lightweight yet practical. It features a 150 cm hose, which provides just enough reach without getting tangled. With a rechargeable battery, the included USB cable makes it dead easy to charge in the car whilst on the move or easily with any phone charger. It also comes with both a suction mount and a hook attachment, making it simple to hang from a window, tile, or tree branch. The shower head itself offers multiple spray settings, which is a lovely touch for such a budget-friendly device.

Balcony Test I decided to give it a trial run out on the balcony using a standard bucket of water. To my delight, the unit arrived pre-charged and ready to go straight out of the box. Once switched on and submersed, the pump primed itself in a matter of seconds, producing a steady, immediate water flow with surprisingly good pressure.

Verdict For around €20 including postage, this little shower is an absolute bargain. It is extraordinarily convenient, remarkably simple to operate, and exceptionally useful for gardening, camping trips, or any off-grid tasks where a quick wash-down is needed. Highly recommended!

Special Offers

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First Lines Fridays 18th September 2026

2026-09-18T07:00:00.000+02:00

Books: First Lines Fridays 18th September 2026

Ready for another First Lines Friday? It's that time of the week when we judge a book not by it's cover or even by it's blurb. Instead we will be judging it's ability to hook us from the opening lines. Let's see if this week's pick will have you adding it to your TBR list or not.

I'm participating in First Lines Fridays as I think it's a great way to highlight more of the books that are on my bookshelves.

What is First Lines Fridays?

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book!

My Pick For This Week

The first lines of the book:

It was a fine day at the end of March when Sarah Vane parked her silver Volvo neatly and opened the rear door, undoing her little black Scottie dog, Hamish’s harness. He shook himself after the long drive and gave her his favourite quizzical, head-on-one-side look.

Do you know which book this is from? Scroll down to find out!

And the book is...

Book synopsis for Murder at an English Pub by Alice Castle

When retired doctor Sarah Vane moves to Merstairs, she has no idea that the quaint seaside town isn’t quite as friendly it seems, and something sinister is bubbling under the picturesque surface…

Recently widowed and looking for a fresh start away from city life, Sarah Vane moves into a lovely little cottage by the sea. The rustic charm is everything she hoped it would be, but her new home doesn’t quite have enough space for her things. Her old friend Daphne offers to store Sarah’s boxes in her messy beach hut, but while clearing it out, they are shocked to find a heavy trunk… containing a dead body.

They immediately recognise the poor man as pub landlord Gus Trubshaw. Sarah concludes that he was suffocated, but who could have wanted jolly Gus dead? Unimpressed by the police’s lack of interest, Sarah realises she will have to solve the case herself.

Soon, Sarah discovers that not everyone loved Gus as much as she’d thought. Could the killer be scoutmaster Bill, who was recently banned from the pub? Or perhaps it was antique store owner, Charles, who owned the beach hut before Daphne? Or was it brewery director Mr. Grimes, who was livid with Gus for squeezing him on the purchase price of his delicious ale?

Just when the clues are starting to fall into place, the prime suspect is found strangled on the beach. And when Sarah discovers a deadly secret that links the two murders, she’s certain that a dangerous killer is roaming the streets of Merstairs. With the town in a panic, time is ticking for Sarah. Will she solve the mystery before it’s last orders for another victim?

Set off for the breezy English seaside and join Sarah on her adventures in quirky Merstairs, where nothing is quite as it seems! Fans of Agatha Christie, Betty Rowlands and Katie Gayle will be instantly hooked by this deliciously gripping cozy mystery.

Where to find Murder at an English Pub by Alice Castle online:

Get the book: Murder at an English Pub Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelf: Murder at an English Pub on Goodreads

Have you read this book? On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do these opening lines make you want to read the book?

You might also like: Books That Take Place in Bookstores or Libraries

What would you like to explore next?

Are you looking for your next favourite read, blogging tips, or a new challenge? Click a button below to dive in!

My Book Reviews Hub Blogging Tips & SEO Fun Book Tags Clock Reading Challenge Free Book Club Kits Book Blogger Directory

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Book Spotlight: The Sun Casts No Shadow by Mark Richardson

2026-09-17T07:00:00.000+02:00

Book Spotlight: The Sun Casts No Shadow by Mark Richardson

Today I'm part of a virtual book tour organised by The Write Reads for The Sun Casts No Shadow by Mark Richardson. The tour for ‘The Sun Casts No Shadow' will run from 15th - 20th September 2026.

Interested in featuring your book? You can book a Book Spotlight post to showcase your work to my readers.

If you’re looking for more tips on growing your blog, check out my The Ultimate Guide for Book Bloggers, packed with practical strategies and advice.

Genre: Dystopian Noir

Age Category: Adult

Number of Pages: 180 Pages

Publication Date: June 25, 2026

New to virtual book tours? Check out my book Virtual Book Tours: Effective Online Book Promotion From The Comfort Of Your Own Home.

Book synopsis for The Sun Casts No Shadow by Mark Richardson

In the walled, rotting City where daylight is a just a memory, pickpocket Wellington Thorneycroft drifts through life. The rules are simple: take what you can, feel nothing, and never look too closely at the shadows.

But when a ghostly woman appears—silent, radiant, impossible—everything shifts. Her promise is clear: we’ll escape together. With that, Thorneycroft is thrust into a fever-dream journey that twists through brothels, back alleys, and the outer edges of sanity itself.

Guided by visions and a growing hunger for something beyond the City’s poisoned streets, he begins to question the nature of the prison he calls home... and whether escape is even possible.

Laced with brutality and bleak wonder, Mark Richardson's The Sun Casts No Shadow is a neo-noir descent into metaphysical horror.

Dark. Gritty. Unforgettable. Enter the City.

Where to find The Sun Casts No Shadow by Mark Richardson online:

Get the book: The Sun Casts No Shadow Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelves: The Sun Casts No Shadow on Goodreads

Keep your place in style with a set of magnetic bookmarks

About the author Mark Richardson

Mark Richardson writes neo-noir novels which blend elements from a range of genres, including surrealism, science fiction, fantasy, and dystopia.

He grew up near Chicago, graduated from the University of Iowa, and now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

You can find him on online here:

Website: www.authormarkrichardson.com

TikTok: @noirdetective4

Instagram: @markrichardsonaauthor

Email: authormarkrichardson@gmail.com

For more inspiration, take a look at 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers to keep your content fresh and engaging.

What would you like to explore next?
Are you looking for your next favourite read, blogging tips, or a new challenge? Click a button below to dive in!
My Book Reviews Hub Blogging Tips & SEO Fun Book Tags Clock Reading Challenge Free Book Club Kits Book Blogger Directory

If you'd like to support me, donating goes a long way to helping with the running of this blog. Thanks for your support 💗
Donate now

First Lines Fridays 11th September 2026

2026-09-11T07:00:00.000+02:00

Books: First Lines Fridays 11th September 2026

Welcome back for another First Lines Friday. It's that time of the week when we judge a book not by it's cover or even by it's blurb. Instead we will be judging it's ability to hook us from the opening lines. Let's see if this week's pick will have you adding it to your TBR list or not.

I'm participating in First Lines Fridays as I think it's a great way to highlight more of the books that are on my bookshelves.

What is First Lines Fridays?

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book!

My Pick For This Week

The first lines of the book:

‘Do you need a handkerchief, Mr Haddonberg?’ The testimony hadn’t even begun yet, and already Walter Haddonberg was sweating. The prospect of facing the plaintiff’s attorney, Arthur Kirkland, had apparently gotten the glands in Haddonberg’s forehead and under his arms working overtime. Kirkland, a handsome, dynamic man, had a reputation in the Portland legal community that had earned him the nickname ‘The Barracuda.’

Do you know which book this is from? Scroll down to find out!

And the book is...

Book synopsis for Inherit the Shoes by EJ Copperman

Lawyer Sandy Moss gets mixed up in a celebrity murder case in LA, in the first in a brand-new cosy legal mystery series.

New Jersey prosecutor Sandy Moss is tired of petty criminals, and a new job at a glitzy Los Angeles law firm seems the perfect career move. Putting 3,000 miles between her and her ex-boyfriend is just an added bonus.

But on Sandy’s first morning as a family attorney, she inadvertently kills her new career stone dead when she offends her boss during a meeting with the firm’s top celebrity client, charismatic TV star Patrick McNabb. But that’s not as dead as Patrick’s soon-to-be ex-wife, Patsy, is that evening, when she’s discovered shot by an arrow, her husband standing over her.

Where to find Inherit the Shoes by EJ Copperman online:

Get the book: Inherit the Shoes Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelf: Inherit the Shoes on Goodreads

Have you read this book? On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do these opening lines make you want to read the book?

You might also like: Books That Take Place in Bookstores or Libraries

What would you like to explore next?

Are you looking for your next favourite read, blogging tips, or a new challenge? Click a button below to dive in!

My Book Reviews Hub Blogging Tips & SEO Fun Book Tags Clock Reading Challenge Free Book Club Kits Book Blogger Directory

If you'd like to support me, donating goes a long way to helping with the running of this blog. Thanks for your support 💗

Donate now

August 2026 Blogger Posts Round Up

2026-09-05T20:25:00.000+02:00

August 2026 Blogger Posts Round Up

Featured Blog Posts from the Blogging Community

A collection of blog posts from bloggers across books, lifestyle, travel, and more

Welcome to the August 2026 Blogger Posts Round Up! Each month, I bring together a variety of blog posts from bloggers across a wide range of topics, making it easy to discover new voices and fresh content.

This month, you’ll find posts covering books, health and fitness, home and garden, lifestyle, hair and beauty, and travel, so there’s something for every reader.

About This Feature

This monthly round up is a way to highlight bloggers creating excellent content across multiple niches. It’s also designed to help readers find new blogs to follow while bringing together a diverse mix of posts in one place.

In this round up, you can expect to see:

Book reviews, reading challenges, and literary discussions
Health and fitness posts focused on well-being and self-care
Home and garden inspiration and seasonal ideas
Lifestyle and personal growth content
Hair and beauty reviews and tips
Travel guides, tips, and experiences

Why I Do This Round Up

Social media can be overwhelming when you’re trying to discover quality content, so this round up collects the best blog posts published this month.

It’s designed to:

Highlight bloggers across multiple niches
Help readers find new blogs to enjoy
Share inspiring and useful content
Celebrate creativity and expertise across the blogging community

How It Works

Every month, I post a submission thread on Twitter/X, inviting bloggers to share posts published during that month.

Posts submitted should cover topics such as:

Books
Health and fitness
Lifestyle
Hair and beauty
Travel
Home and garden

All featured posts are published during the relevant month.

Want to be included in future round ups?

Follow me on Twitter/X and keep an eye out for the monthly submission post.

Discover This Month’s Featured Blog Posts

Book Blogging

This section highlights blog posts from book bloggers sharing reviews, reading challenges, book tags, and literary discussions.

@DanSamEnd shared her review of The Last Rift Dragon by Shami Stovall as part of the book tour.

"It’s always a treat to dive into a Shami Stovall book, and this is no exception, a fantastic read and great start to the series!"

👉 Read the full post here.

@WordsofMystery shared a post with book reviews for Casually Yours by Vivian Jia Lac & Second First Dates by Gabriella Gamez.

"I have my favourite tropes, among them friends-to-lovers, and Casually Yours does a fun twist on this trope by making it estranged friends to casual lovers, though they’re never truly casual, which is something I ate up."

"Not only have Julian and Leti been with both men and women, but both characters are ace-spec, which is still quite rare to see. As a result, the cover of Second First Dates may seem misleading, as Leti and Julian’s romantic relationship is more of a quieter, slow burn focusing more on the emotional side rather than the physical side of their relationship, though the two of them do have good chemistry throughout the book."

👉 Read the full post here.

@TStrawberryPost shared her review of Duel of Beasts by Boyd & Beth Morrison.

"Oh my goodness, what an amazing and absolutely thrilling historical adventure and another wonderful book in the Tales of the Lawless Land series!"

👉 Read the full post here.

@BooksCozy shared a post highlighting science fiction books. There are sections for books she's read linking to their reviews and spotlight features on additional books in the genre.

👉 Read the full post here.

@ReadingLadiesBC shared her Book Club Kit for The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff.

👉 Read the full post here.

Health & Fitness

Here you’ll find health and fitness blog posts focused on well-being, sustainable habits, and realistic self-care.

In the future you'll find more posts here. If you blog about health and fitness make sure you check out the thread for next month so you can add one of your posts.

Home & Garden

This section features home and garden blog posts covering interior inspiration, organisation, and seasonal ideas.

In the future you'll find more posts here. If you blog about home and garden make sure you check out the thread for next month so you can add one of your posts.

Lifestyle

These lifestyle blog posts explore everyday living, personal growth, routines, and blogging life.

In the future you'll find more posts here. If you blog about lifestyle make sure you check out the thread for next month so you can add one of your posts.

Hair & Beauty

This section includes hair and beauty blog posts featuring product reviews, skincare routines, and beauty tips.

In the future you'll find more posts here. If you blog about hair and beauty make sure you check out the thread for next month so you can add one of your posts.

Travel

Here you’ll find travel blog posts sharing destination guides, travel experiences, and practical tips.

In the future you'll find more posts here. If you blog about travel make sure you check out the thread for next month so you can add one of your posts.

From My Own Blog This Month

While I love highlighting the incredible work from across the blogging community, I’ve also been busy on my own site! Out of all the posts I published during August, here are two of my personal highlights you might have missed:

Best Quotes for Book Lovers (Books): "Finding the perfect words to capture the exact feeling of getting lost in a brilliant story is an absolute art form." I gathered a collection of timeless quotes celebrating everything from the magic of reading to the relatable obsession with buying books.
👉 Read the full post here.
Exploring the New Colosseo Metro C Station in Rome (Travel): "Stepping out of that old interchange and right into the slick, airy space of the new Metro C felt like walking straight through a portal into a totally different decade." Take a tour of Rome's newest underground museum station, where ancient Roman artefacts are displayed right alongside modern transit platforms.
👉 Read the full post here

In Case You Missed It

If you’re looking for even more blog content, don’t forget to check out previous round ups, including the July 2026 Blogger Posts Round Up, for a wide variety of posts from talented bloggers.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy this month’s collection of posts and discover some new blogs and voices along the way. The Blogger Posts Round Up will continue each month, featuring content from a variety of niches and celebrating the creativity and knowledge of bloggers everywhere.

What would you like to explore next?

Are you looking for your next favourite read, blogging tips, places to visit, hair inspiration or a fitness challenge? Click a button below to dive in!

My Book Reviews Hub Blogging Tips & SEO Travel Posts Hair & Beauty Health & Fitness Book Blogger Directory

If you'd like to support me, donating goes a long way to helping with the running of this blog. Thanks for your support 💗

Donate now

First Lines Fridays 4th September 2026

2026-09-04T07:00:00.000+02:00

Books: First Lines Fridays 4th September 2026

I'm participating in First Lines Fridays as I think it's a great way to highlight more of the books that are on my bookshelves.

What is First Lines Fridays?

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book!

My Pick For This Week

The first lines of the book:

Ryan stands in front of the house where his mother raised her other children, while he grew up in a home among strangers. Kind people. Mostly. But strangers all the same, who didn’t know how to love a child that wasn’t theirs. The red gloss door should have been his front door. Number eighteen. The same age as him.

Do you know which book this is from? Scroll down to find out!

And the book is...

Book synopsis for Not My Child by Jane E. James

Looking out at my dead wife’s family in the pews, I know I’m meant to read the eulogy that’s tucked into my pocket. The one that tells a story of the life I built with my wonderful wife before she was tragically killed in a hit-and-run.

But I decide to tell the truth. ‘I was married to two women. One I knew. And one I didn’t.’ Shocked murmurs echo around the church.

‘My wife left me a letter. She told me to destroy it once I’d read it and not reveal its contents to anyone.’

I grip the pulpit, my knuckles white. I see our two beautiful children sitting with their grandparents. ‘You might think me disloyal for going against Tara’s wishes, but I’ve decided to share this letter anyway.’

‘Starting with lie number one.’

Where to find Not My Child by Jane E. James online:

Get the book: Not My Child Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelf: Not My Child on Goodreads

Have you read this book? On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do these opening lines make you want to read the book?

You might also like: Books That Take Place in Bookstores or Libraries

What would you like to explore next?

Are you looking for your next favourite read, blogging tips, or a new challenge? Click a button below to dive in!

My Book Reviews Hub Blogging Tips & SEO Fun Book Tags Clock Reading Challenge Free Book Club Kits Book Blogger Directory

If you'd like to support me, donating goes a long way to helping with the running of this blog. Thanks for your support 💗

Donate now

Book Spotlight: Dead Teenager Movie by Cethan Leahy

2026-09-03T07:00:00.000+02:00

Book Spotlight: Dead Teenager Movie by Cethan Leahy

Today I'm part of a virtual book tour organised by The Write Reads for Dead Teenager Movie by Cethan Leahy. The tour for ‘Dead Teenager Movie' will run from 31st August - 6th September 2026.

Interested in featuring your book? You can book a Book Spotlight post to showcase your work to my readers.

If you’re looking for more tips on growing your blog, check out my The Ultimate Guide for Book Bloggers, packed with practical strategies and advice.

Genre: Thriller, Suspense

Age Category: Young Adult

Publisher: Little Island

Number of Pages: 288 Pages

Publication Date: 3 September 2026

New to virtual book tours? Check out my book Virtual Book Tours: Effective Online Book Promotion From The Comfort Of Your Own Home.

Book synopsis for Dead Teenager Movie by Cethan Leahy

In this YA slasher, a horror-obsessed girl joins a group of wealthy teens for a wild weekend in a remote house, only to discover that the local murder rumours may be far more real – and far closer – than she imagined.

She loved scary movies… until she had the starring role.

A spree of murders is haunting Cork city, leaving behind stories of ghost parties and dismembered janitors, of dead diner owners and folkloric entities.

Die-hard horror buff April ignores it all for one perfect weekend of debauchery with Carl and his group of rich, hot and dangerously irresistible friends.

Together, they head to the West Cork countryside for an unforgettable trip before college begins. But in a remote mountainside house with views to die for, the dream party turns into a nightmare. Because some stories don't stay stories. And someone, or something, inside the house wants more than fear. They want blood.

Where to find Dead Teenager Movie by Cethan Leahy online:

Get the book: Dead Teenager Movie Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelves: Dead Teenager Movie on Goodreads

Keep your place in style with a set of magnetic bookmarks

About the author Cethan Leahy

Cethan Leahy is an author and filmmaker from Cork. His debut novel, Tuesdays Are Just as Bad, was published to widespread acclaim, earning a shortlist nomination for the CBI Book of the Year Award and winning the Senior Category of the Great Reads Awards. Alongside his writing, Cethan works across film and animation. When he’s not writing stories, he’s usually thinking about them.

For more inspiration, take a look at 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers to keep your content fresh and engaging.

First Lines Fridays 28th August 2026

2026-08-28T07:00:00.000+02:00

Books: First Lines Fridays 28th August 2026

Time for another First Lines Friday! It's that time of the week when we judge a book not by it's cover or even by it's blurb. Instead we will be judging it's ability to hook us from the opening lines. Let's see if this week's pick will have you adding it to your TBR list or not.

I'm participating in First Lines Fridays as I think it's a great way to highlight more of the books that are on my bookshelves.

What is First Lines Fridays?

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book!

My Pick For This Week

The first lines of the book:

Nothing was going to ruin Ruth Davenport’s night tonight. Not even her leg. It was a good omen that it didn’t ache. If she could whistle, she would, and if her limbs were more reliable, she’d skip and hop up and click her heels together in a Julie Andrews, Sound of Music kind of way.

Do you know which book this is from? Scroll down to find out!

And the book is...

Book synopsis for A Match Made in Ireland by Michele Brouder

Have you ever wanted to press the escape button on your life?

Ruth Davenport writes about romance and happily ever after. But not from experience. After a heartbreaking rejection, she decides a change of scenery is needed. On a whim, she thinks Ireland is the place to go to write her next book. But when she arrives, everything that can go wrong, does. In the middle of the night, she lands on the doorstep of an Irish pub in the middle of nowhere belonging to an enigmatic Irishman.

Sean Hughes needs a woman under his roof like he needs a hole in the head. His policy is to steer clear of all women in general. Besides, he’s too busy running a pub and getting his dream business up off the ground. He has no time to be helping pretty tourists. But he needs some quick cash and she needs accommodation and a driver.

A deal is struck that suits them both. As they spend more time together, they begin to see the other in a different light. Can they overcome their fears and take a chance on happiness?

Each book in the Escape to Ireland series is a standalone novel and can be read in any order.

Where to find A Match Made in Ireland by Michele Brouder online:

Get the book: A Match Made in Ireland Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelf: A Match Made in Ireland on Goodreads

Have you read this book? On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do these opening lines make you want to read the book?

You might also like: Books That Take Place in Bookstores or Libraries

What would you like to explore next?

Are you looking for your next favourite read, blogging tips, or a new challenge? Click a button below to dive in!

My Book Reviews Hub Blogging Tips & SEO Fun Book Tags Clock Reading Challenge Free Book Club Kits Book Blogger Directory

If you'd like to support me, donating goes a long way to helping with the running of this blog. Thanks for your support 💗

Donate now

Exploring the New Colosseo Metro C Station in Rome

2026-08-25T07:00:00.000+02:00

Exploring the New Colosseo Metro C Station in Rome

Rome is famous for blending the ancient with the modern, but nothing illustrates that contrast quite like stepping into the newly opened Metro C station at Colosseo / Fori Imperiali.

I recently visited the new station with my sister-in-law and my niece. Since none of us had been since the extension officially opened, we were keen to see what all the fuss was about—and it certainly didn't disappoint.

Helpful Details for Travellers

Detail	Information
Station Name	Colosseo / Fori Imperiali
Line	Metro C (Interchange with Line B)
Must-See Display	The central atrium showcasing excavated Roman artifacts
Best Exit for Views	The main exit opening directly onto Via dei Fori Imperiali

A Tale of Two Lines: Old vs. New

If you’ve ever ridden Rome’s Metro B, you know it’s purely function over form—a bit gritty, dead simple, and properly stuck in the past. Stepping out of that old interchange and right into the slick, airy space of the new Metro C felt like walking straight through a portal into a totally different decade.

The sheer difference in scale and light made a massive impression on us. The architecture is grand, modern, and spacious, featuring an impressive, wide staircase that leads you down through the levels. It gives the entire hub a dramatic, futuristic feel before you even look at the tracks.

The Underground Museum Experience

What makes this stop truly special is that it isn't just a transit point—it’s essentially a curated archaeological museum.

During the decades-long excavation required to dig 32 metres beneath Via dei Fori Imperiali, workers uncovered dozens of ancient Republican-era wells, structural remains, and thousands of everyday artefacts. Instead of whisking everything away to distant display cases, Rome integrated these finds right into the station design.

The three of us spent a good chunk of time wandering past the floor-to-ceiling glass showcases embedded in the walls. Seeing ancient pottery, glassware, coins, and fragments of Roman daily life right beside the escalators isn't something you encounter in your typical metro station, and it made the visit feel like a genuine activity in itself.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are commuting or sightseeing, the new Colosseo Metro C stop is well worth pausing in. It seamlessly connects Rome's ancient past with its modern transport network, proving that even a quick ride on the tube can turn into a cultural experience.

What would you like to explore next?

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First Lines Fridays 21st August 2026

2026-08-21T07:00:00.000+02:00

Books: First Lines Fridays 21st August 2026

I haven't done one of these for a while... are you ready for First Lines Friday? It's that time of the week when we judge a book not by it's cover or even by it's blurb. Instead we will be judging it's ability to hook us from the opening lines. Let's see if this week's pick will have you adding it to your TBR list or not.

I'm participating in First Lines Fridays as I think it's a great way to highlight more of the books that are on my bookshelves.

What is First Lines Fridays?

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book!

My Pick For This Week

The first lines of the book:

May 2020 Sims Chapel, TN They say our lives are written in the stars, that our fate is predetermined. But after the life I’ve lived, I believe that we are the authors of our own destiny, endowed by the Almighty with the power to choose our own paths, and, when necessary, to rewrite the stars.

Do you know which book this is from? Scroll down to find out!

And the book is...

Book synopsis for The Keeper of Stars by Buck Turner

Who says you can’t rewrite the stars?

It’s 1962 when Tennessee-native Jack Bennett meets out-of-towner Ellie Spencer. He quickly falls head-over-heels for the young woman whose greatest love has always been the stars...until Jack. As their summer romance blooms, so does their determination to be together despite the circumstances that threaten to keep them apart. But just when Jack thinks their future is certain, their romance is cut short by forces beyond their control.

Twelve years later, Dr. Elizabeth Spencer, now a renowned professor of astronomy, receives a mysterious package. Inside is a novel about a young man and woman who meet at the water’s edge and fall madly in love over one magical summer. As she immerses herself in the pages, Ellie realizes this is no ordinary story—it’s their story. And hidden among the tales of star-gazing and stolen kisses is a detail that has her questioning everything. Seeking the truth, Ellie returns to the water’s edge. But is it too late, or can the love story Jack penned bring them back together in time to rewrite the stars?

Where to find The Keeper of Stars by Buck Turner online:

Get the book: The Keeper of Stars Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelf: The Keeper of Stars on Goodreads

Have you read this book? On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do these opening lines make you want to read the book?

You might also like: Books That Take Place in Bookstores or Libraries

What would you like to explore next?

Are you looking for your next favourite read, blogging tips, or a new challenge? Click a button below to dive in!

My Book Reviews Hub Blogging Tips & SEO Fun Book Tags Clock Reading Challenge Free Book Club Kits Book Blogger Directory

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Best Quotes for Book Lovers

2026-08-20T13:08:57.875+02:00

Best Quotes for Book Lovers

Finding the perfect words to capture the exact feeling of getting lost in a brilliant story is an absolute art form. There is nothing quite like opening a fresh paperback, smelling that lovely printed-page scent, and completely tuning out the noise of the outside world.

Whether you are looking for a bit of inspiration for your reading journal, a catchy caption for your next Instagram post, or simply want to nod along in full agreement with fellow page-turners, I have gathered a collection of the absolute best quotes for book lovers.

Grab a cup of tea and settle into these timeless gems.

On the Pure Magic of Reading

Reading isn't just a hobby; it is a full-blown passport to different worlds, eras, and perspectives. These quotes celebrate that incredible sense of wonder that comes with diving into a great story.

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies... The man who never reads lives only one." — George R.R. Martin
"Books are a uniquely portable magic." — Stephen King
"Reading is departure and arrival. It is a way of travelling without moving an inch." — Jhumpa Lahiri
"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library." — Jorge Luis Borges
"To read is to voyage through time and space, to converse with the greatest minds who ever lived." — Carl Sagan

On Cosy Vibes and Bookish Comfort

Is there anything better on a rainy afternoon than sinking into a comfortable armchair with a hot drink and a captivating novel? These quotes perfectly sum up that unmatched sense of sanctuary.

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." — C.S. Lewis
"There is no friend as loyal as a book." — Ernest Hemingway
"I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!" — Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice)
"Reading gives us somewhere to go when we have to stay where we are." — Mason Cooley
"Rainy days should be spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book." — Bill Watterson

On the Relatable Obsession with Buying Books

Let’s be honest with ourselves: buying books and actually reading books are two entirely separate, equally enjoyable hobbies! If your "To Be Read" (TBR) pile is currently taking over your bedside table, these ones are for you.

"I can't imagine anything better than buying books, unless it's reading them." — Lemony Snicket
"The buying of more books than one can read is nothing less than the soul reaching towards infinity." — A. Edward Newton
"Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them." — Lemony Snicket
"If you don't like to read, you haven't found the right book." — J.K. Rowling
"My room is filled with books I haven't read yet, but I love them all the same." — Anonymous

On the Emotional Connection to Characters

The best stories leave a lasting impression because the characters feel as real as our actual friends. Here is how some authors describe that emotional bond.

"Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." — Neil Gaiman
"We read to know we're not alone." — C.S. Lewis
"A good book is an event in my life." — Stendhal
"Books break the shackles of time, proof that humans can work magic." — Carl Sagan

Which of these quotes spoke to your bookish soul the most? Do you have an absolute favourite that didn't make the list? Drop your top picks in the comments below so we can keep building the ultimate reading list together!

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July 2026 Blogger Posts Round Up

2026-08-08T07:00:00.000+02:00

July 2026 Blogger Posts Round Up

Featured Blog Posts from the Blogging Community

A collection of blog posts from bloggers across books, lifestyle, travel, and more

Welcome to the July 2026 Blogger Posts Round Up! Each month, I bring together a variety of blog posts from bloggers across a wide range of topics, making it easy to discover new voices and fresh content.

This month, you’ll find posts covering books, health and fitness, home and garden, lifestyle, hair and beauty, and travel, so there’s something for every reader.

About This Feature

In this round up, you can expect to see:

Book reviews, reading challenges, and literary discussions
Health and fitness posts focused on well-being and self-care
Home and garden inspiration and seasonal ideas
Lifestyle and personal growth content
Hair and beauty reviews and tips
Travel guides, tips, and experiences

Why I Do This Round Up

Social media can be overwhelming when you’re trying to discover quality content, so this round up collects the best blog posts published this month.

It’s designed to:

Highlight bloggers across multiple niches
Help readers find new blogs to enjoy
Share inspiring and useful content
Celebrate creativity and expertise across the blogging community

How It Works

Every month, I post a submission thread on Twitter/X, inviting bloggers to share posts published during that month.

Posts submitted should cover topics such as:

Books
Health and fitness
Lifestyle
Hair and beauty
Travel
Home and garden

All featured posts are published during the relevant month.

Want to be included in future round ups?

Follow me on Twitter/X and keep an eye out for the monthly submission post.

Discover This Month’s Featured Blog Posts

Book Blogging

This section highlights blog posts from book bloggers sharing reviews, reading challenges, book tags, and literary discussions.

@lucyturnspages shared a feature on Skeleton Bride (Tales of the Grim Reaper Book 1) by Joharra Harper.

👉 Read the full post here.

@BooksCozy shared her review of Falling Into Oblivion by Aaron M. Payne. "Falling Into Oblivion is Aaron M. Payne’s debut novel and it offers a solid start to anyone wanting to get into the cyberpunk genre. High tech, low life sets the scene with lots of gritty noir for extra flavor."

👉 Read the full post here.

@DanSamEnd shared a review as part of the book tour for The Kill Switch by Robert Peston. "It’s a chilling start to the story plunging the reader into a corrupt and dangerous world where no one can be trusted and privacy is a thing of the past. The brilliant writing pulls back the curtain on the rich inner workings of the political sphere, the power dynamics, political manoeuvrings, ruthless ambition and greed in play."

👉 Read the full post here.

@WordsofMystery shared Someone to Cook For by Maiko Seo. "I’d actually love to see more of Maiko Seo’s books translated into English and brought over to North America because I enjoy her storytelling. She writes about interesting characters and situations without making everything feel overly bleak or weird."

👉 Read the full post here.

@ReadingLadiesBC shared her review of The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff. "The Burning Side checks all my boxes for a five-star read: well-written family drama, likeable people, family love and loyalty, multiple points of view, thoughtful themes, and realistic problems."

👉 Read the full post here.

Health & Fitness

Here you’ll find health and fitness blog posts focused on well-being, sustainable habits, and realistic self-care.

In the future you'll find more posts here. If you blog about health and fitness make sure you check out the thread for next month so you can add one of your posts.

Home & Garden

This section features home and garden blog posts covering interior inspiration, organisation, and seasonal ideas.

In the future you'll find more posts here. If you blog about home and garden make sure you check out the thread for next month so you can add one of your posts.

Lifestyle

These lifestyle blog posts explore everyday living, personal growth, routines, and blogging life.

@danaethinksthat shared a post with 32 Mid-Year Journal Prompts. "Journaling is a very effective tool not only for reflection but also for planning and understanding yourself more. The mid-year journal prompts you’ll discover in this article will make this process easier because they’ll guide you to matters and thoughts that it’d be good to explore."

👉 Read the full post here.

Hair & Beauty

This section includes hair and beauty blog posts featuring product reviews, skincare routines, and beauty tips.

In the future you'll find more posts here. If you blog about hair and beauty make sure you check out the thread for next month so you can add one of your posts.

Travel

Here you’ll find travel blog posts sharing destination guides, travel experiences, and practical tips.

In the future you'll find more posts here. If you blog about travel make sure you check out the thread for next month so you can add one of your posts.

In Case You Missed It

If you’re looking for even more blog content, don’t forget to check out previous round ups, including the May 2026 Blogger Posts Round Up, for a wide variety of posts from talented bloggers.

Final Thoughts

What would you like to explore next?

Are you looking for your next favourite read, blogging tips, places to visit, hair inspiration or a fitness challenge? Click a button below to dive in!

My Book Reviews Hub Blogging Tips & SEO Travel Posts Hair & Beauty Health & Fitness Book Blogger Directory

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This or That Book Edition

2026-07-23T07:00:00.000+02:00

This or That Book Edition

I saw this graphic on Pinterest and it looked like fun so I thought I'd give it a go. If you know who to credit with the creation of this particular version please let me know.

I've marked my answers directly on to the graphic. So were easier to answer than others.

What would your answers be? Let me know in the comments section below!

What would you like to explore next?

Are you looking for your next favourite read, blogging tips, or a new challenge? Click a button below to dive in!

My Book Reviews Hub Blogging Tips & SEO Fun Book Tags Clock Reading Challenge Free Book Club Kits Book Blogger Directory

Blogging on Low Battery: Rebuilding Productivity (Without Overdoing It)

2026-07-18T07:00:00.000+02:00

Blogging on Low Battery: Rebuilding Productivity (Without Overdoing It)

I’ve been quiet around here lately, and if I’m honest, it’s because my body forced me to take a massive pause. Following a recent stay in hospital to manage my multiple chronic conditions, I found myself slammed right into a creative brick wall.

Between recovering from the stay itself, adjusting to multiple medications, and enduring the absolute furnace of this Rome summer, my daily reality has looked less like "hustling blogger" and much more like "lying completely motionless in front of a fan, praying for a breeze."

When you have multiple chronic illnesses, a creative rut isn't just a mental block; it's a physical boundary. Your brain wants to write, reply to comments, and design graphics, but the physical energy simply isn’t there.

So, how do we get back to being productive when our battery is permanently sitting at 10%?

The "Slow-Mo" Re-entry Plan

The temptation when you start feeling even 5% better is to try and make up for lost time. You open twenty tabs, plan a month of content, and immediately trigger a flare-up that lands you right back where you started. Yes, I'm talking from experience.

To avoid that vicious cycle, I am using a much gentler, step-by-step approach to rebuild my blogging routine.

Step 1: Lower the bar to floor-level

Forget about writing massive, 2,000-word guides right now. Your first goal is just to show up in the easiest way possible. If all you can manage is a quick 15-minute "Book Tag" post or updating an old image, celebrate that as a massive win.

Whilst I really want to get back to posting daily again I'm just not in a condition to that right now. I will try to post at least once or twice a week and slowly build up frequency again as my health improves.

Step 2: Work in micro-bursts

Forget the standard 25-minute Pomodoro technique if that feels too long. Try working in 5 or 10-minute bursts from your phone whilst lying down. If the laptop feels too heavy or makes you too hot, use your phone's voice-to-text feature to dictate thoughts whilst resting.

I definitely can't deal with being on my computer for long periods of time at the moment. I am trying to keep up with emails and socials via the apps on my phone and logging on to my laptop for short amounts of time to work on drafts and graphics.

Step 3: Categorise tasks by energy level

On high-brain-fog days, do "mindless" tasks like deleting spam comments or organising your Pinterest boards. Save writing or editing for the rare pockets of day when your medication has kicked in and the heat has dipped slightly.

I'm definitely counting scrolling Pinterest as productive blog related work. It's given me a lot of ideas for new posts to do once I'm up for it.

Step 4: Set a hard stop

Even if you feel a sudden burst of creative inspiration, force yourself to stop before you feel tired. Leaving a post half-finished gives you an easy starting point for tomorrow and preserves your precious physical reserves.

This is probably the hardest thing for me to do. I'm not good at stopping. I have the tendency to push myself when it would probably have been best to stop sooner. I am trying to work on that aspect though as I learn to deal with my health.

Surviving the Heat & the Healing Process

If you are also struggling with a chronic illness, a flare-up, or just the exhausting weight of summer, please remember that rest is productive. Your body is doing heavy internal work to heal you, and that requires energy.

I’m taking things one tiny, fan-cooled step at a time. The blog will still be here, the draft posts can wait, and our health must always come first. I promise I'll be back with loads of new content for you soon.

Have you ever had to rebuild your routine after a health setback? How do you keep your creative spark alive when your body demands rest? Let me know in the comments below!

Ready to grow your blog?

Whether you're looking for fresh post inspiration, SEO tips, or want to check out my annual Book Blogging Survey tracking realistic industry statistics, I have got you covered. Click a button below to explore!

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Product Review: Schwarzkopf Gliss 4 in 1 Bond-Building Hair Mask

2026-07-15T07:00:00.000+02:00

Product Review: Schwarzkopf Gliss 4 in 1 Bond-Building Hair Mask

As I mentioned in my post Bleaching Hair from Dark Brown to Blonde Part 2, I was recently successful in my mission to discover a good bond-building product at a budget price. So let's dive into why the Schwarzkopf Gliss 4 in 1 Bond-Building Hair Mask is quite possibly one of the best hair products I've come across.

You might also like: A Guide To Different Hair Dye Colours: Tried and Tested

Product details

How to use:

Apply gently on wet hair after washing and leave-in for 2–3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly! Use 2–3 times per week. Leave-in: Apply a small amount into towel-dried or dry hair tips after washing your hair.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water, Eau), Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Distearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Isopropyl Myristate, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Parfum (Fragrance), Amodimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Lactic Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Ceteareth-20, Trideceth-10, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol

You might also like: Product Review: L’Oréal Elvive Bond Repair Leave-In Serum

Review

This stuff is amazing! Started using it whilst bleaching my hair and it has left my hair so soft. Considering I started using it during a period when I was doing things to my hair that can cause major damage, it actually left my hair feeling in better condition to before I bleached it.

The tub is 400ml and, as you only need a small amount, it lasts quite a while. Even when I've been using large amounts of it during my bleaching process, both when washing my hair and as a leave-in, the tub has still lasted a couple of months. Excellent value for money.

If you're looking for a budget friendly bond building hair mask this is it! A real must have! I seriously can't say enough good things about this product.

Do you know of other budget friendly bond building hair masks I should try? Let me know in the comments.

Looking for more lifestyle inspiration?

Whether you are planning your next travel adventure, looking for wellness and beauty tips, or upgrading your home and garden, I have got you covered. Click a button below to explore!

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First Lines Fridays 10th July 2026

2026-07-10T07:00:00.000+02:00

Books: First Lines Fridays 10th July 2026

I'm participating in First Lines Fridays as I think it's a great way to highlight more of the books that are on my bookshelves.

What is First Lines Fridays?

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book!

My Pick For This Week

The first lines of the book:

She sat, cross-legged on a worn oriental rug. Eyes closed. Palms up, a hand resting on each knee. Deep breath in. Long slow exhale. And another. And again. Nam myo ho ren ge kyo. Chanting these words until each melted into the next. Nam myo horen gekyo. Namyo-horengekyo. Concentrating, beginning to get in the rhythm of it, to recede into a darkness at the back of her mind when the sound of the buzzer broke through. “Shit,” she said, opening her eyes. “Shit.”

Do you know which book this is from? Scroll down to find out!

And the book is...

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DCGJ5D5S
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Porter Street Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 15, 2024
Print length ‏ : ‎ 356 pages

Book synopsis for The Art Collector by Susan Bacon

A Warhol protégé, a Manhattan murder and a long-hidden truth

It is February 1987. Seal Larsen is a photographer, denizen of New York’s downtown scene and the subject of one of Andy Warhol’s short films. When she dies in a suspicious fall from the 15th floor of her Manhattan apartment building, her friend and neighbor, Emma Quinn, is determined to find out what happened.

A history professor at Columbia University with connections to the intelligence community, Emma soon realizes how little she really knows about her friend. Exploring Seal’s life, her work, her past, Emma makes her way down to Memphis and to rural Tennessee, putting herself at risk. It’s there, on an isolated 2,000-acre farm, that she begins to grasp the tragedy that defined Seal’s life and the truth about her death.

A sequel to The History Teacher, Susan Bacon's award-winning political mystery, The Art Collector is an intrigue, a puzzle, a plot-twister. It is also an exploration of the value of art and the people who make it and of the culture that fueled Manhattan's art boom in the second half of the twentieth century.

Where to find The Art Collector by Susan Bacon online:

Get the book: The Art Collector Amazon affiliate link

Add to your shelf: The Art Collector on Goodreads

Have you read this book? On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do these opening lines make you want to read the book?

You might also like: Books That Take Place in Bookstores or Libraries

What would you like to explore next?

Are you looking for your next favourite read, blogging tips, or a new challenge? Click a button below to dive in!

My Book Reviews Hub Blogging Tips & SEO Fun Book Tags Clock Reading Challenge Free Book Club Kits Book Blogger Directory

Bleaching Hair from Dark Brown to Blonde Part 3

2026-07-08T07:00:00.000+02:00

Bleaching Hair from Dark Brown to Blonde Part 3

Ready for another episode in the journey to take my hair from dark brown to blonde?

It's been a while since my last update in this DIY hair adventure and with good reason. Whilst you might be thinking 'she finally used good sense and decided to give her hair a proper break before jumping in with yet another round of bleach' unfortunately that's not quite the case. My willpower is not that great. I was forced to leave it alone.

I was in hospital for two weeks due to a bad flare up of multiple chronic conditions all at once. It has not been fun. I am home again now though fortunately and working hard to get myself back to something that can pass as normal life again.

My time in the hospital meant that not only could I not work on getting rid of the orangey phase my hair was in after part 2, but I also got quite a bit of regrowth on my roots. Add to that the fact that I couldn't brush my hair most days due to being on constant IVs day and night let alone wash it, my hair was not looking it's best.

After a few days back home I sent my son out on a mission to buy supplies and I was finally able to start on part 3.

As with the previous times, I used 20 volume developer and bleaching powder and left it on for about an hour. I didn't want to push my luck as given my current bad health (I couldn't eat or drink for about 10 days and then even with all the iron transfusions, IV drips of various natures etc and all the meds I'm on) I wasn't sure how well my hair would withstand another onslaught.

My bleaching kit:

20 volume developer
bleaching powder (three packets as I have a lot of hair and it's important to make sure you cover all the hair with a good amount. When in doubt, always buy an extra packet)
gloves
mixing bowl
brush

This is what I started with:

Very orange tone especially from mids to ends and dark root regrowth. Not my best look for sure.

When bleaching it this time round I started by covering my mids and ends (the orange parts) as this is where I still have stubborn pigments from the darker hair dyes I'd done previously. I also didn't want it going on the light blonde parts for too long to avoid breakage. As we've previously discussed, the roots always develop quickly due to the natural heat from the scalp and so should always be the last part you put product on to.

This is after one round of bleach:

The good news is that the roots blended almost perfectly and there was no notable hair loss at all. This is a big win! The bad news is that the more orangey tones are still sticking. It did lighten it quite a bit but I need the whole hair to be the colour of the top part and for now, I'm still two-toning it between a very light yellow blonde on top and an orangey yellow down the length.

I could have removed the orange tones a lot easier by using a higher level developer. Even a 30 volume would have made a difference. I didn't want to risk the damage though especially given my recent health and so opted for the safer choice of 20 volume. A 20 volume developer usually lifts 2-3 levels at a time so I was prepared for the fact that going from such a dark brown colour to such a light shade of blonde was likely to take a while when I started on this DIY hair journey.

As with the previous times I bleached my hair, the tone of blonde depends a lot on the light I'm in. If I'm outside in the sunshine it definitely looks closer to the tone I need it to be but inside with warm lighting the orangey tones are still showing through. I talk more about this in my post Understanding Blonde Hair Undertones: How Light Affects Your Shade if you're interested in knowing more.

I also trimmed a little off the ends as they were looking pretty dry.

Just as a reminder, this is the goal I'm aiming for:

I used the Gemini app to create an AI version of what I wanted so that I'd have a clearer image in my head whilst bleaching my hair and so that I have an accurate image to take with me to the hairdressers when it comes time to cut it. I obviously still have work to do to reach my goal. I am getting closer though.

Before, currently and goal:

As a recap, here's a reminder of how the journey from dark brown to light ash blonde is going so far:

As you can see I've come a long way in quite a short space of time. My starting colour was a very dark brown, almost black. I started this DIY hair journey from dark brown to blonde on 1st June. This means that all this change has happened in just over a month (two weeks of which I was in hospital). I shared part 2 of this journey on 10th June. Thinking about it like this I'm amazed at how much I've managed to accomplish. I'm actually not far from my goal colour now and my hair is still in pretty good condition. Once I get the final hair cut done it should get rid of any dry ends I have left.

I do not recommend doing this yourself unless you have a good understanding of your hair. Even more so if you suffer from health problems. Luckily I do know my hair and how far I can push it as I've done this multiple times before. If this is your first time DIY bleaching your hair go slow and use low volume developer to avoid doing any serious damage.

My next update should hopefully be with the final result.

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