Tag Archives: Milly Johnson

Jera’s Jamboree : Top 20 Fiction Reads of 2012

Jera's Jamboree Top 20 Fiction Reads of 2012

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It was quite a difficult choice to choose only 20 out of the 108 books I’ve read this year!  All the books I’ve read can be found on my Books Read 2012 page.  However, my top 20 Fiction Reads of 2012 below have been chosen from my ‘keepers’ list and no matter when I read them during the year, they still stay colourful in my mind.

(categorised by genre)

Children

A Shirtful of Frogs by Shalini Boland

Self Published

shirtfuloffrogs

 

Read my review here

 

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YA

Saving Daisy by Phil Earle

Published by Penguin

savingdaisy

 

Read my review here

 

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YA/Paranormal Fantasy

Advent by James Treadwell

Published by Hodder

advent

 

Read my review here

 

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The Marchwood Vampire Series by Shalini Boland

Self Published

Winners of Hidden by Shalini Boland

 

Read my review here

 

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Read my review here

 

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Dreams (Sarah Midnight Trilogy) by Daniela Sacerdoti

Published by Black & White Publishing

dreams

 

Read my review here

 

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The Forsaken by Lisa Stasse

Published by Orchard

forsaken

 

Read my review here

 

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YA/Crime Suspense

Betrayal by Gregg Olsen

Published by Splinter

betrayal

 

Read my review here

 

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Chick Lit/Romantic Comedy/Romance/Contemporary Romance

I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Published by Random House

ivegotyournumber

 

Read my review here

 

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On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

Published by Penguin

ontheisland

 

Read my review here

 

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The Road Back by Liz Harris

Published by Choc Lit

roadback

 

Read my review here

 

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The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Published by Penguin

girlyouleftbehind

 

Read my review here

 

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Dream a Little Dream by Sue Moorcroft

Published by Choc Lit

dreamalittledream

 

Read my review here

 

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A Winter Flame by Milly Johnson

Published by Simon & Schuster UK

winterflame

 

Read my review here

 

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With Love at Christmas by Carol Matthews

Published by Little, Brown (Sphere)

withloveatchristmas

 

Read my review here

 

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Romance – Fantasy

Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy) by Deborah Harkness

Published by Headline

shadowofnight

 

Read my review here

 

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Romance – Suspense/Psychological

Secrets of the Tides by Hannah Richell

Published by Orion

bookofsecrets

 

Read my review here

 

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Never Coming Home by Evonne Wareham

Published by Choc Lit

nevercominghome

 

Read my review here

 

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The Cornish House by Liz Fenwick

Published by Orion

thecornishhouse

 

Read my review here

 

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Out of Sight by Isabelle Grey

Published by Quercus

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Read my review here

 

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Up Close by Henriette Gyland

Published by Choc Lit

upclose

 

Read my review

 

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Are any on your top reads list?  Have you read any?  You’re welcome to link your reviews in the comments or share what you’ve thought.

If you decide to purchase any of the books above, please consider using the Associate links by clicking on the images below.

amazonbookstore 

bookedepository

Looking forward to sharing all things books in 2013.

Happy Reading!

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Jera’s Jamboree review : A Winter Flame by Milly Johnson

A Winter Flame by Milly Johnson 

Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd (25 Oct 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0857208985

ISBN-13: 978-0857208989

‘Tis the season to be jolly…But can Eve find happiness through the frost…?

 

Eve has never liked Christmas, not since her beloved fiance was killed in action in Afghanistan on Christmas Day. So when her adored elderly aunt dies, the last thing she is expecting is to be left a theme park in her will. And one entirely dedicated to Christmas …

 

And that’s not the only catch. Her aunt’s will stipulates that Eve must run the park with a mysterious partner, the exotically named Jacques Glace. Who is this Jacques, and why did Aunt Evelyn name him in her will?

 

But Eve isn’t going to back down from a challenge. She’s determined to make a success of Winterworld, no matter what. Can she overcome her dislike of Christmas, and can Jacques melt her frozen heart at last…?

 

We meet Eve Douglas as she’s waiting at the solicitors after the death of her beloved great aunt Evelyn, who in the later months of her life, developed an obsession with Christmas.  Expecting to be left her locket, she’s in total shock when she finds out that Evelyn bought land in the 60’s and has started a Christmas theme park … and another shock that Jacques Glace has been willed the other half (as well as half of the few million).  Eve knows nothing about him but has to decide whether to partner him or resign.

Before meeting Jacques, Eve goes off on a research trip taking best friend Alison’s daughter, Phoebe.  “White Christmas” is in the public eye for all the wrong reasons.  She knows she can do a lot better.  Her first meeting with Jacques is hilarious!  He makes a very bold statement on leaving…

There is much more to A Winter Flame than Eve’s dislike of Christmas and a frozen heart (although obviously central … as not only did Jonathan die on Christmas Day but even before that, her childhood experiences left a negative feeling about everything surrounding the festive season).  There are sub-plots weaving through.  Eve’s cousin Violet is one of them.  I cheered when I realised that Violet and Pav from White Wedding are also characters (you can read my review here).  Max and Bel make a brief appearance too.  I loved this.  We continue finding our more about Violet’s relationship, which is nail-biting at one point and caused me tears of happiness at another.

Jacques is such an intriguing character.  How did he know great aunt Evelyn?  Why won’t he talk about his past?  What is he hiding?  This kept me hooked all the way through the story.

You all know I love to see a character grow and come into their own.  Eve certainly does that with the help of Winterworld.  There are some really touching moments with the reindeers and Christopher the snow pony.  Santa makes her pause and reflect as well.  Winterworld is an amazing invention … I could just imagine myself walking through the enchanted forest with Eve and feeling the magic tingling on my skin.

Magic … there is also a sense of the paranormal in a couple of scenes.  I love the way Johnson adds these scenes to her stories.

I can’t finish my review without mentioning the humour.  As well as Johnson’s inimitable humour throughout, her creation of the Daily Trumpet and the mistakes they make are hilarious (although one of the misprints is quite a major error in delaying knowledge – this thread is very cleverly crafted).

A Winter Flame is a seasonal tale that deals realistically and sensitively about bereavement and letting go, age differences in relationships, the parenting patterns that are inherited from previous generations … and living life to the full.  It’s about family, friendships and love.  It’s heart-warming and gives hope.  I’ve been totally engrossed and have no hesitation in recommending A Winter Flame.  This is definitely a story I will read again.

Buy it but be loathe to share your copy … it’s a keeper!

You can read the first chapter of A Winter Flame here.

 
Milly Johnson on Amazon

 

I would like to thank publishers, Simon & Schuster UK, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

You can find out more about Milly Johnson on her website.  Milly tweets and you can find her on Facebook.

Jera’s Jamboree review: White Wedding by Milly Johnson

White Wedding by Milly Johnson

Paperback: 464 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd (26 April 2012)

Language English

ISBN-10: 0857208969

ISBN-13: 978-0857208965

It’s the day they’ve always dreamed about. But will it turn out to be a nightmare …? Bel is in the midst of planning her perfect wedding when disaster strikes and everything she thought she knew is turned on its head. Can she hold it all together and, with the help of her friends, and a mysterious man she meets unexpectedly, turn disaster into triumph? Bel’s friend, ice-cream parlour owner Violet, is engaged to Glyn, who is besotted by her although Violet fell out of love with him long ago. But however trapped she feels in the relationship, she can’t quite say the words, ‘I don’t want to marry you anymore.’ Then, just when she’s about to give up and resign herself to married life, she finds love in the most surprising of places. Will duty rule her heart or will she allow herself to be swept off her feet? Max was planning a quick registry office do with her fiancé Stuart until she sees a TV programme about traveller brides and becomes determined to have the most extravagantly glitzy wedding ever. But in all the excitement has she lost sight of what’s really important? Does she want the wedding more than she wants the groom? And as all three friends find the dress of their dreams at the White Wedding bridal shop, its owner, the lovely Freya, guarantees that her gowns will bring them happiness – though maybe not quite in the way they expected …

In the Prologue of White Wedding, it’s February and the fifth time that Bel, Max and Violet have bumped into each other in the bridal shop White Wedding.  Chapter One begins three months later and the women have all become friends.

Bel’s wedding is first and the reader intuits that during those three months something has happened – she’s not as excited and buzzing as she was in the Prologue.  Leading up to her wedding (and throughout the book), the strands of Max and Violet’s lives are woven through.  Written in the third person this allows the reader to get to know the women, their fiancés and their lives.

Bel’s wedding is explosive! What a wedding to start with! I loved the wedding cake … She flees to the Bronte cottages on the Moors that are owned by her father to gather herself together.  It is here she meets the mysterious man alluded to in the synopsis.  The antagonism and Bel’s eventual return to her life are brilliantly portrayed.  Max’ wedding is next followed by Violet’s.  There are realisations and trauma leading up to each of them.

In the background is White Wedding owner Freya. There is a lot of intrigue surrounding her.  No-one knows for sure her background.  The part she plays in the story is very subtle but causes major changes that alter paths – and is magical!

All the characters are believable and easy to identify with.  I actually don’t have a favourite … because they are all brilliant (I’m including in this the characters readers are meant to dislike).

There are many levels to White Wedding.  Although the main theme is the weddings, I became engrossed in all the women’s lives.  There is much depth and I think all women should have a ‘Freya’ in their lives before their marriages … Milly Johnson explores step-families, manipulation/obsession, insecurities, mental illness/Alzheimer’s and expectations. I LOVED the metaphysical aspect :)

Milly’s different length of chapters enhances the flow of the tale being created.  You’ll find Milly’s humour sprinkled throughout alongside plenty of tension.  There were a few surprises for me – I knew something was coming from Bel’s wedding being written up in the Melbourne Star but never guessed how that fitted in.  What a shocker! I also wasn’t expecting Glyn to go that far … or Bel’s ‘husband’ Richard’s secret … and what a brilliant ending!

I’ve been so engrossed in Bel, Max and Violet’s lives:

Buy it but be loathe to share your copy … it’s a keeper!

I would like to thank publishers, Simon & Schuster UK, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

White Wedding is available to purchase:

Amazon Paperback £3.86  

Amazon Kindle £4.99

The Book Depository Paperback £6.02 

And all book retailers

You can find out more about Milly Johnson on her website.  Milly tweets and you can find her on Facebook.

Secret Squirrel special

WELCOME, to the first Secret Squirrel post of 2012 :)

After making a quick getaway after spying through the open window of MILLY JOHNSON's pad late yesterday afternoon ....

Secret Squirrel would like to share the NEWS that Milly Johnson has a FIRST.


Milly Johnson has a two book TURKISH deal.  Which two books? I hear you ask.

Secret Squirrel hopes that Jera's Jamboree readers will join in wishing Milly congratulations!

Secret Squirrel signing off for the next assignment ...

Secret Squirrel would like to know …

Indeed, Secret Squirrel would like to know something from you, the blog readers.

Author Milly Johnson tweeted something rather exciting:

So, once again I am in ‘talks’ to turn my book into a film.  I won’t buy the popcorn just yet …

Secret Squirrel is able to reveal something the tweet didn’t say …

The book in question …





… and what Secret Squirrel would like to know is WHO WOULD YOU CAST?


Secret Squirrel is watching you …








An Autumn Crush by Milly Johnson

     Paperback: 432 pages
                    Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd (29 Sep 2011)
                    Language English
                    ISBN-10: 184983203X
                      ISBN-13: 978-1849832038
Synopsis from Amazon: 

After a bruising divorce,headstrong Juliet Miller invests in a flat and advertises for a flatmate,little believing that in her mid-thirties she’ll find anyone suitable. Butalong comes self-employed copywriter Floz, raw from her own relationship split,and the two women hit it off. When Juliet’s twin brother Guy meets Floz, he isovercome with a massive crush. But being a shy, gentle giant, he communicatesso clumsily with her as to give her the opposite impression. Guy’s best friendSteve has always had a secret, unrequited crush on Juliet. After a night of toomuch wine, Steve and Juliet end up in bed, after moaning about the lack of sexin their lives. Convinced that Juliet doesn’t feel the same way, Steve agreesto a ‘just-sex’ relationship, until they can both hook their dream partners.Just when Guy has finally plucked up the courage to tell Floz how he feels, hefinds she has rekindled an old romance. Floz has never had much love in herlife and is obviously thirsty for affection. She loves the whole Miller family,from Juliet and Guy’s warm, loving parents, to their ancient one-eyed black cat.But can Guy turn Floz’s affection for his family into something more – intolove for him? Then Juliet makes a series of discoveries which will turn thelives of all four friends upside-down and turns that Autumn into a season wherelove can be harvested.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the opening of this story where Juliet and her friendCoco are interviewing for a flat mate, right up to the last punctuation mark, Ihave really enjoyed living in this world created by Milly Johnson.
The story takes us through the Autumnal months of August,September, October and November living alongside characters whose antics haveprovoked emotional outbursts from me and no doubt will from you! 
Guys frustrated attempts at getting close to Floz actuallyhad me in stitches of laughter.  Ispluttered with mirth at the things that happened when Steve and Guy went roundto Juliet’s flat, ostensibly to check out the plastering. 
I also just have to mention Steve who at one point findshimself outside on the steps of the flat whose clothing leads Juliet’s neighbour to believe he’s a transvestite.  Hilarious! I am still laughing now …
Amidst the laughter though (of which is there plenty),sadness is also woven through the story. Milly Johnson is not afraid to deal with the darker side of life.  Dysfunctional families, internet dating,addictions and more all have their place in this novel.
I loved The Miller family who are open and welcomingproviding roots and stability for everyone involved in their lives.
There is also plenty of intrigue.  The author drops us hints as we’re going along so the first timesomething is mentioned it gets you thinking where it will fit into the storyand as you’re reading further into the story we get to know a little bit moreuntil the time is right for the revelation.
Milly Johnson very cleverly moves the plot along at a steadypace and just when something is becoming all ‘sown up’ something else isdropped into the mix so there is more intrigue to keep you turning those pages,wanting to know what will happen.
The way the story is written just carries you along in itsflow.  I found it easy to read which tobe honest, is just what I needed after a working day in school – although attimes I should have been sleeping and NOT reading!  Pure escapism …
I was quite sad when I knew I was getting close to theend.  I’d been swept along with Floz bythe power of Juliet’s personality, been caught up in Coco’s flamboyant personality and love life, been wrapped up in the warmth of the Millerfamily, cried tears of laughter and sometimes deep sadness, been frustrated bythe non-relationship of Floz and Guy but uplifted by Juliet and Steve’sshenanigans.  An Autumn Crush has keptme good company this past week and taken me out of my everyday life.  I didn’t want my brief time in this world toend.
An Autumn Crush has truly entertained me and touched myemotions and for these reasons, my rating is:


I would like to thank Simon & Schuster for providing mewith a copy to review.
I have The Yorkshire Pudding Club on my Kindle tbr pile andI will definitely be adding Milly Johnson’s other titles.
You can find Milly Johnson at her website, onTwitter and on Facebook.

http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?t=jersjam-21&o=2&p=8&l=as1&asins=184983203X&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr