Roelia Reads

09/08/2024

What do we do on ? We braai! And, we have pudding of course! 🇿🇦

Happy Women's Day to all the fabulous and fierce females who made and make our country what it is 💪 Including a special mention to ! 🙌 She is even included in our menu for the day.

"Recipes to Live For: A Tannie Maria Cookbook" by

What are your plans for the day?

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08/08/2024

Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

If you’re in the mood for a fun, cosy mystery, Catherine Mack’s “Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies” might just be the perfect pick. This book, the first in The Vacation Mystery series, offers a delightful escape into a world of intrigue, humour, and beautiful Italian settings.

🍹 Engaging Mystery: The book offers a classic whodunit with a large group of suspects, reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s style. It’s an easy page-turner that keeps you guessing until the end.

🍹 Humorous Writing: The sarcastic humour and witty dialogue make for an entertaining read. The protagonist’s direct address to the reader adds a unique and engaging touch.

🍹 Beautiful Setting: Set in the picturesque landscapes of Italy, the book provides a delightful escape to a beautiful location, enhancing the reading experience.

🍹 Light and Fun: It’s a fun and uncomplicated read, perfect as a palate cleanser between heavier books. Ideal for a beach or holiday read, it offers a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

🍹 Series Potential: As the first book in The Vacation Mystery series, it sets the stage for more adventures to come. If you enjoy this one, you’ll likely be eager to continue the series and see what other mysteries await.

Update - news taken from Pan Mac SA website!  "Television rights to Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies and its forthcoming sequels sold in a major auction to Fox TV for development into a series, with Mack writing the pilot script. "  Whoop!

Thank you Pan MacMillan SA for this gifted copy.

08/08/2024

"The Book of Elsewhere" by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville

A Teaser!

Step into a world where legends come to life and the impossible becomes reality. "The Book of Elsewhere" is a mind-blowing epic from Keanu Reeves and China Miéville, inspired by the world of the BRZRKR comic books. Meet "B," a warrior who has seen civilizations rise and fall, known by many names but now seeking the one thing he cannot have: death. When a mysterious force emerges, even more powerful than B himself, the stakes are higher than ever. This collaboration blends Miéville’s unique creativity with Reeves’s haunting narrative, creating a story that will captivate and thrill you from start to finish.

**Who Will Enjoy This Book:**

✨ Fans of Epic Fantasy and Sci-Fi: If you love intricate world-building and genre-bending tales, this book is for you.
✨ BRZRKR Comic Enthusiasts: Those familiar with the BRZRKR universe will find this story a thrilling expansion.
✨ Character-Driven Story Lovers: Readers who appreciate well-developed characters and emotional depth will be drawn to B’s journey.
✨ Fans of Keanu Reeves and China Miéville: If you enjoy the works of these two creators, this collaboration is a must-read.
✨ Thriller and Mystery Aficionados: The book’s suspenseful and mysterious elements will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure that pushes the boundaries of imagination! 📚✨

This book is published by Penguin Random House SA (Random House UK)

06/08/2024

“There’s been a right of way through here for centuries – before that house even existed. You’re the ones trespassing. Local people have always walked among these trees … using their wood, their flora and fauna. There’s a unique convergence of ley lines here. Keeping people away from the land”

"The Midnight Feast" by Lucy Foley (see my "review in 10 points" on my )

5 Reasons to read this book:

🖤 Atmospheric Setting: Immerse yourself in the luxurious British countryside manor, complete with lush lawns, an infinity pool, and an ancient forest. The vivid descriptions transport you to this captivating world.

🖤Intriguing Dialogue: The characters’ conversations crackle with tension, revealing hidden motives and past grudges. Old friends reconnect, enemies exchange barbs, and strangers eye each other suspiciously.

🖤 Mystery and Suspense: Foley weaves folklore, eerie rituals, and spine-tingling moments into the narrative. As secrets unravel, the summer solstice takes on mystical significance, adding to the suspense.

🖤 Character Revelations: Through multiple POVs, the author gradually unveils each character’s true self. Expect surprising twists and jaw-dropping revelations that keep you engaged.

🖤 Flawed Characters: Whiny, entitled rich guests clash, creating a toxic atmosphere. Their flaws—greed, jealousy, entitlement—fuel the drama. You’ll love to hate them as the tension mounts.

The Midnight Feast combines folklore, suspense, and flawed characters. It’s a feast of secrets, lies, and spine-tingling moments.

Published by HarperCollins Publishers and Jonathan Ball Publishers (in South Africa). Thank you to Exclusive Books for this gifted copy.

06/08/2024

📚 Book Feature! 📚

🌟 “Love at First Flight” by Jo Watson 🌟 Pippa Edwards, an air-traffic controller, and pilot Andrew Boyce-Jones find themselves in a serendipitous meet-cute after months of only speaking over intercom. To avoid questions at her dreaded school reunion, Pippa proposes a fake dating pact. But their very real attraction might change everything! ✨✈️

🌴 “What Happens on Vacation” by Jo Watson 🌴 Journalist Margaret and co-worker Jagger unexpectedly win a quiz night, earning a deluxe trip to a Zanzibar resort. But when their parents fall in love and decide to get married, Margaret and Jagger go from co-workers who dislike each other (but also ‘accidentally’ had s*x one night) to step-siblings who might not dislike each other as much as they thought! 💕🏝️

Have you read these delightful romances? Share your thoughts (spoiler-free if possible)! 📖💬

05/08/2024

Happy new week! Happy new book!

What's not to love about a book about books or bookshops? Do you have a favourite one?

"The Bookshop Ladies" by Faith Hogan

About this book (blurb from Goodreads)

"Bestselling Irish writer, Faith Hogan, has created another gripping saga of friendship, betrayal and secrets in this story of a widow in search of answers to a shocking confession by her dying husband.

Joy Blackwood has no idea why her French art dealer husband has left a valuable painting to a woman called Robyn Tessier in Ballycove, a small town on the west coast of Ireland, but she is determined to find out. She arrives in Ballycove to find that Robyn runs a rather chaotic and unprofitable bookshop. She is shy, suffering from unrequited love for dashing Cathal, and badly in need of advice on how to make the bookshop successful.

As Joy gets drawn into the dramas of everyday life in the town, she finds it more and more difficult to confess why she really came, let alone find the truth about the painting she brought with her.

When she does finally summon up the courage, it sets the cat amongst the pigeons in the close-knit, friendly community she has come to love."

This book is published locally (South Africa) by Jonathan Ball Publishers

05/08/2024

Press Release

Fury’s War is an uplifting story of love, endurance and courage that brings light to the darkness of war. The book tells of an English woman, Rose, and a Boer soldier, Jan, who are thrown together under trying circumstances. Enemies of war, who, despite their upbringings and prejudices, fall in love. As their relationship develops and grows, they find ways to meet and the lines between patriotism and treachery become blurred. The penalty for treason is death.

From the greed and horror of the Anglo-Boer War to the misery and death of the concentration camps and the bravery on the battlefield comes a story of indominable courage that will hold readers captive to the very end.

Who will enjoy this book?

Both men and women. Lovers of historical fiction, war fiction, war and adventure romance, period drama and anyone specifically interested in the Anglo-Boer war as the novel is set in that period.

The book is well researched and historically accurate. QR codes are uniquely provided to share the author’s research with the reader. It provides deep insight into human emotion and takes the reader on a journey that at times will bring a smile to their lips at others, tears to their eyes.

The novel weaves fictional characters into actual events that occurred during the second Anglo-Boer War, without in anyway modifying the role of real people involved or altering the actual outcome of historical events. A love story between two unlikely characters forms the backbone of the story, adding an extra compelling dimension to the narrative.

Indelibly brings to life the triumph and tragedy of a dark period of South African history that’s all but forgotten, where more than fifty thousand South Africans, both black and white, died in British concentration camps.

The release of the book during 2024 has been timed to coincide with the 125th anniversary of the Boer War.

About the author:

Buxton Gray was born in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. He is a sport lover with a passion for motorcycling, having explored much of sub-Saharan Africa on his BMW. His interest in the Boer war was sparked as a young boy by his grandmother, an Afrikaans woman whose maiden name was Fourie. She faithfully shared tales of the Anglo-Boer War and of Jopie Fourie, who was executed for treason in 1914 by, among others, General Jan Smuts. What started out as a hobby soon turned into a passion when the full injustice and horror of the war struck home.

“What evil is it that causes the heart of an ordinary man or woman to surrender to cruelty and hate during a time of war?” - Buxton Gray

With a deep concern for the plight of children, Buxton is concurrently publishing a second book, Journey Through Africa. The proceeds of book sales continue to be used to support ongoing fundraising efforts for children and education.

Fury’s War Publication Detail
ISBN:978-0-796-15374-6
Publisher: Aspire Club
Copyright: Buxton Gray
Published: June 2024
No of pages: 394
Format: Paperback • Portrait• US Trade 229mm x152 mm
Categories: FIC033000FICTION/War &Military; FIC014000FICTION/Historical/General; FIC014030 FICTION Historical/Romance
Distributor: Blue Weaver, with Booksite Afrika Blue Weaver: Specialist Publisher’s Representatives
RRP: R340incl. VAT

Fury’s War has been selected by Exclusive Books for their Recommended Promotion in August 2024. Exclusive Books

*Content Provided*

05/08/2024

'n Stomende begin tot the week!! 🥵 🔥 🌶️

"Droomjagter" deur Leon van Nierop

Oor die boek (verskaf deur Exclusive Books):

"Gaan hulle mekaar vind of vernietig? Lucas Jordaan sluit sy bosveldlodge naby Hoedspruit nadat sy meisie onder raaiselagtige omstandighede verdwyn.

Dan stop joernalis Renske du Toit voor Jagtersrus se hekke, gestuur deur ’n reistydskrif om oor die lodge te skryf. Die aantrekking tussen hulle is dadelik tasbaar, al probeer albei dit ontken.

Maar wanneer Renske begin stories hoor van die duiwel-in-die-bos wat glo sy eks uit die weg geruim het, ontdek sy ’n donker kant aan Lucas wat haar bang maak, maar ook bedwelm.

Intussen duik nog onheilspellende raaisels op. Wat steek hy vir haar weg? Hoekom waarsku almal haar oor hom? Wat beteken die hangertjie om sy nek? En wie stuur vir hom gedurig kriptiese, dreigende boodskappe?

Hoe meer Renske hom leer ken, hoe sterker haar aangetrokkenheid, maar ook hoe groter die gevaar. Gaan hulle mekaar in hierdie waaghalsige stryd vol begeerte vind of vernietig?

Droomjagter is ’n erotiese spanningsverhaal vol kinkels wat jou om meer as een rede uitasem sal laat."

Do you have a favourite South African Author? Wie is jou gunsteling Suid-Afrikaanse skrywer? Ek moet erken, hoe meer Afrikaanse boeke ek ees, hoe meer besef ek op wat ek uitgemis het die afgelope paar dekades deur net Engels te lees!

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04/08/2024

One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall is a scintillating thriller that delves into the complexities of gender roles, misogyny, and societal expectations.

5 Reasons to read this book:

1. Layered Perspectives: The novel unfolds through multiple points of view, revealing hidden depths and challenging assumptions. Each character’s perspective adds a new layer to the story, keeping readers engaged.

2. Fearless Exploration: Hall fearlessly tackles sensitive social issues, including misogyny and coercive control. Her unflinching approach invites readers to question societal norms and consider the dangers of taking things at face value.

3. Mixed Media Storytelling: Through podcast excerpts, social media posts, and newspaper articles, Hall creates a unique narrative experience. This unconventional approach adds immediacy and depth, making the book unputdownable
4. Character Development: Patience pays off as we explore each character’s psyche. The slow burn allows us to fully understand their flaws, vulnerabilities, and motivations. These complex characters drive the story forward.

5. Unforgettable Conclusion: The novel’s conclusion weaves together threads from various sources, leaving a lasting impact. Prepare for vagueness, chaos, and a rollercoaster of emotions.

Whether you’re a mystery enthusiast or simply crave thought-provoking fiction, One of the Good Guys delivers.

Thank you to Pan MacMillan SA for this gifted copy.

04/08/2024

Die kortlyste vir die kykNET-Rapport-boekpryse vir 2024 is bekend gemaak!

Ek is verheug om te sien dat een van my gunsteling boeke, P.P. Fourie se "Ons Skulde", vir TWEE pryse benoem is. Eerstens vir die Kyknet-Rapport Herman Binge-Prys: Film, en ook vir die Jan Rabie-Rapportprys: Debuut- of Tweede Prosawerke.

Ek hou styf duim vas!

Die boek word uitgegee deur Queillerie (NB Uitgewers) en die publikasiedatum was Junie 2023.

Lees gerus my resensie oor die boek op my .

03/08/2024

"How to Age Disgracefully" by Clare Pooley

In “How to Age Disgracefully,” Clare Pooley weaves a heartwarming tale that challenges conventional perceptions about ageing and celebrates the vibrancy of life at any age. Set in Hammersmith, London, this ensemble comedy introduces us to a disparate group of pensioners who come together to save their local community centre from closure. Here’s why this book is a delightful read:

🫖 Charming Characters: Meet Daphne and her quirky group of pensioners. Their authenticity and wit will win your heart.

🫖 Age Is Just a Number: This book challenges stereotypes about aging. It’s a celebration of life, no matter the years.

🫖 Heartwarming Relationships: Discover the magic of second chances and true connections within this diverse community.

🫖 Light Relief: Need a break? Pooley’s delightful storytelling offers a cosy escape.

🫖 Unconventional Wisdom: From teen parents to feisty seniors, everyone has something to teach—and learn.

“How to Age Disgracefully” is a tremendously cute yet insightful read. Whether you’re looking for light relief or a heartwarming story, this book delivers. Clare Pooley’s knack for charming characters and engaging storytelling shines through, making it a joy to read.

Thank you Penguin Random House SA for this gifted copy.

Read this book if you enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club Series by Richard Osman, The Excitements by C.J. Wray or any other of Clare Pooley's books ♥️ 📚

02/08/2024

feature!

📚NOW AVAILABLE📚

One Pot cookbook for South Africans by Louisa Holst

Quick and easy one-pot meals!

Award-winning author Louisa Holst is back with another brilliant concept: A collection of simple and delicious dishes that are cooked on the stove top using only one pot or pan.

👩‍🍳For more information: https://www.nb.co.za/en/view-book/?id=9780798184335

02/08/2024

Augusta Wentworth of Norland! 🤩

What is your Jane Austen name Jan's Book Buzz?

01/08/2024

Happy new month! 🙌

And this is my first read of August, "The Lost Lover" by Karen Swan.

This is the third instalment in "The Wild Isle" series, and I'm so excited about it! I throughly enjoyed the previous two books, "The Last Summer" and "The Stolen Hours"

About this book (blurb from Pan MacMillan SA)

"An epic first love. A second chance . . .

Young Flora MacQueen has always dreamt of more than life on the small Scottish island of St Kilda. So, when she catches the eye of visiting adventurer and wealthy businessman James Callaghan, her future seems brighter.

Winter seas separate the lovers but the island’s evacuation the following summer promises to reunite them – until tragedy strikes.

Heartbroken and needing to support her family on the mainland, a chance meeting offers hope. Soon Flora is the toast of glamorous Paris; fame and fortune are hers for the taking. But at a high price.

When a scandal erupts back home, she is implicated, along with her friends, Effie and Mhairi. But then a deception comes to light that will change everything . . ."

31/07/2024

I challenged myself to (eventually) read all of Stephen King's books in chronological order, I started this literary journey with "Carrie" last month, followed by "Salem's Lot" this month.

The contrast in writing techniques and narrative dynamics between these two works is truly striking. This shift in themes and moods highlights King's skill as a writer, showcasing his ability to create a wide range of engaging stories.

Up next on my reading list: "The Shining"!

31/07/2024

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue (full review on my )

I Hope This Finds You Well is a wild, entertaining journey. It captures the real and raw moments we all encounter, blending tragedy and fun. So, if you’ve ever worked in an office, grab a glass of (South African) wine, settle in, and let Sue’s words resonate with your own experiences. I found this book utterly delightful - trainwreck humour at its best.

Five reasons to read this book:

👩‍💼 Relatable Office Humour: 🤣 Whether you’ve worked in a cubicle or a corner office, this book captures the absurdities of office life. Expect laugh-out-loud moments that hit close to home.

👩‍💼 Emotional Rollercoaster: 😢 From bitterness to hopelessness, loneliness to embarrassment, this novel delves into the raw emotions we all experience. It’s a cathartic ride through the highs and lows.

👩‍💼 Flawed, Endearing Characters: 🙌 Meet Jolene, our relatable protagonist. Her social anxiety and poor choices make her frustratingly human.

👩‍💼 Unconventional Writing Style: 📝 Natalie Sue’s witty, heartwarming prose keeps you turning pages. The humour is both true-to-life and delightfully surreal.

👩‍💼 Compassion and Mental Health: 💙 Sue’s diverse cast includes characters with mental health struggles. Their stories remind us to be kinder, more understanding.

Thank you to Exclusive Books for this copy!

Published by HarperCollins Publishers / Jonathan Ball Publishers

Exclusive Books Jonathan Ball Publishers

30/07/2024

The Divorcées by Rowan Beaird (full review on my )

5 Reasons to read this book:

📚 Captivating Premise: The novel is set in a 1950s divorce ranch in Nevada, where women wait out the required six weeks for their divorces. The unique backdrop of luxury lodges for divorcées adds intrigue.

📚 Strong Character Development: Beaird skillfully develops characters like Lois Saunders and Greer Lang. Their transformations and interactions kept me engaged.

📚 Historical Context: Through Lois’s journey, the book sheds light on how women were treated during that era. It explores power dynamics and societal norms, making it both informative and thought-provoking.

📚 Beautiful Writing: Beaird’s prose evokes the mood of old black-and-white films. Her descriptive style paints vivid scenes, immersing readers in the story.

📚 Impressive Debut: For a first-time author, Beaird delivers an impressive novel. Whether you’re a fan of mystery, historical fiction, or character-driven stories, “The Divorcées” is worth your time.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction
Published by Manilla Press / Pan MacMillan SA

Thank you to Pan MacMillan SA for this gifted copy.

Pan Macmillan South Africa

30/07/2024

"Breaking the Dark" by Lisa Jewell

The moment I saw that this was a Marvel/Jessica Jones novel, I just had to get my hands on it!

How does this sound?

🦸‍♀️ Retired superhero
🦸‍♀️ Otherworldly mystery
🦸‍♀️ Social Media influence
🦸‍♀️ Promise of perfection
🦸‍♀️ Small village in England

If you’re intrigued by thrilling mysteries and complex characters, this novel promises an exciting journey into the darker side of the Marvel Universe! 😊

Any Marvel fans out there? What is your favourite series/movie/character?

This book is published by Random House UK, locally by Penguin Random House SA Penguin Random House SA

30/07/2024

Wat 'n lieflike boek! Saamgestel deur Corlia Fourie en Annelize van Rooyen, hierdie versameling reisstories is geskryf deur 46 van ons mees geliefde Afrikaanse en Suid-Afrikaanse skrywers.

"Draaie, Swaaie en Afdwaalpaaie" is 'n lekker-lees versameling verhale wat jou sal laat giggel, asem-ophou en droom van jou volgende wegbreek!

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Exclusive Books NB-Uitgewers/Publishers

29/07/2024

Mondays are seldom "marvellous", let's be honest. But this one sure was! 😍

Magnificent from Penguin Random House SA, "Book of Elsewhere" by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville. I'm so looking forward to this one, officially hitting the shelves in August 2024.

About this book (blurb from PRHSA):

"A mind-blowing epic from Keanu Reeves and China Miéville, unlike anything these two genre-bending pioneers have created before, inspired by the world of the BRZRKR comic books.

There have always been whispers. Legends. The warrior who cannot be killed. Who’s seen a thousand civilizations rise and fall. He has had many names:

Unute, Child of Lightning, Death himself. These days, he’s known simply as “B.”

And he wants to be able to die.

In the present day, a U.S. black-ops group has promised him they can help with that. And all he needs to do is help them in return. But when an all-too-mortal soldier comes back to life, the impossible event ultimately points toward a force even more mysterious than B himself. One at least as strong. And one with a plan all its own.

In a collaboration that combines Miéville’s singular style and creativity with Reeves’s haunting and soul-stirring narrative, these two inimitable artists have created something utterly unique, sure to delight existing fans and to create scores of new ones."

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction

Penguin Random House SA

28/07/2024

From the author of "Crazy Rich Asians"....

🌺 “Lies and Weddings” by Kevin Kwan 🌺*

🔥 Imagine a rom-com paired up with a psychological thriller, and you’ve got “Lies and Weddings.” From Hawaii’s black-sand beaches to Marrakech’s dramatic skies, Los Angeles’ glitzy bachelor pads, and England’s oldest estates, Kwan delivers a juicy, hilarious, and sophisticated tale where love, ambition, and lies intertwine in unexpected ways. 🌟

Have you ever attended an exotic "destination wedding" or ever planned one (even if it was just in your wildest dreams)? 😍

*Published by Penguin Random House / Random House UK Penguin Random House SA