It has been an odd month this one! I have now started to feel so drained with working from home and trying to find the motivation for it. When you read this I will have started my 3-week break from work. I would say holiday but our first family holiday abroad has been cancelled. Now before people get judgy, we booked this in January before the pandemic and obviously our health is way more important but still a bit crushing knowing that we now have nothing to look forward to in that respect, and man I need a break. However, Ryanair are not playing ball so its been stressful.
Like I say it’s been an odd month, but I FINALLY got to see my Mother! Funny how even though we talk every day I still missed her.
Mini-Me has now finished Year 1, god help me she is growing up too quickly and now she is on summer holidays until she grows, even more, to go into Year 2!! The horror of it.
The garden is getting more flowers and I love sitting outside and smelling the flowers. Although my nasturtiums have been eating away by the black flies 🙁 and the cats do think that it is a glorified litter tray.
Some flowers to bore you with…PLUS I didn’t plant some of this! Especially these big purple ones!
Next month (August) we find out where the boy will be posted for 3 years and we made the decision that Mini-me and I will not be moving with him, so going to be interesting.
It was the anniversary of my Dad’s passing, 11 years ago now, seems like yesterday he was here! Still hate how much he has missed
We will pass over the subject of the football and that disappointing end to the season.
I have been a rubbish blogger as I have not shared anyone’s posts for ages! I am sorry and normal service shall resume once I have had a break! I am wiped.
And I wrote about 3,000 words of my second book, on the back of a dream I had about Chris Evans. I have a playlist which is inspiring different scenes. Still need to finish book 1 which has kind of halted at 11,000 words so will need to go back to that. As Mini-me would say dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnnn
Ahem….sorry got slightly distracted here…….. if it hadn’t been for Knives Out I would have never have thought of him like this!!!!!
Not really much more to say so all things bookish now!
What Have I Read This Month?
A whopping 21 books, woah there! I surpised myself with that figure!!!!
What Have I Got This Month?
Yes, you are right 2 are NetGalley! One is a tour and one was direct from the author! Otherwise, I stayed away and I bought audiobooks for my takeover!
What Have I Posted This Month?
Author TakeOver
Guest Post – The Book That Changed My Life
Review of Little Girl Lost (DI Robyn Carter #1)
Guest Post – From Comedy to Crime
Review of Secrets of the Dead (DI Robyn Carter #2)
Review of The Missing Girls (DI Robyn Carter #3)
Guest Post – Where the Magic Happens
Review of The Silent Children (DI Robyn Carter #4)
Review of The Chosen Ones (DI Robyn Carter #5)
Character Interview Time With Robyn Carter
Guest Post – Why Laughter Can Change Your Life
Guest Post – 10 Crazy (But Not Dangerous) Things To Try Before Your 40th Birthday
Guest Post – A Day In The Life
Review of What Happens in France
Guest Post – The Research Behind What Happens In France
Guest Post – 10 Ways To Stay Healthy
Review of The Birthday (Detective Natalie Ward #1)
Review of Last Lullaby (Detective Natalie Ward #2)
Guest Post – 10 Movies You Would Take On A Desert Island
Review of The Dare (Detective Natalie Ward #3)
Part 1 – It’s Grilling Time – An Interview With Carol Wyer
Part 2 – It’s Grilling Time – An Interview With Carol Wyer
Guest Post – How To Write Crime Fiction
Review of The Sleepover (Detective Natalie Ward #4)
Promo Post – An Eye For An Eye (Detective Kate Young #1)
Review of The Blossom Twins (Detective Natalie Ward #5)
Character Interview Time With Natalie Ward
Review of The Secret Admirer (Detective Natalie Ward #6)
Review of Somebody’s Daughter (Detective Natalie Ward #7)
Guest Post – A Writer’s Journey
Blog Tours
Finders Keepers By Sabine Durrant
The Curse Of Calico Jack By Colin Garrow
Lucy’s Great Escape By Rosie Green
Shadows Of The Woods By Duncan Thompson
Cover Reveals
Movie Reviews
Friday Nights Movies – 3rd July 2020 #MovieReviews
Friday Nights Movies – 10th July 2020 #MovieReviews
This will start again just haven’t had a chance to write up my reviews!
Book Reviews
The Demon Of Devilgate Drive By Colin Garrow
Blog Posts
#MusicMonday – This Addiction’s Got Me Twisted On You #Halestorm
#MusicMonday – I Never Want You To Go #PalayeRoyale
#MusicMonday – The Only One Thing On My Mind #5ive
#MusicMonday – Funky Little Monkey, She’s A Twisted Trickster #Nickelback
I am having a couple of weeks off now from blogging and work. My holiday has been cancelled so will just chill out at home – I need a holiday from this house! I do have some tour posts coming up and 3 more Takeovers in the works but not until the end of August/September, I need some sleep!
How was your July?
Until next time xxx
carolwyer says
What a month you’ve had! Firstly, well, you know what I think about all the posts… *sends another hug*. Secondly, you really do deserve a break so definitely no judging going on here. We lost out with Ryanair too and I settled for a voucher to be used next year as trying to get money was proving too stressful. I hope you get a result soon and can plan for next year.
Your flowers are beautiful! We don’t have many up here on windy hill because … well… the wind usually rips them to shreds or breaks their stems so I’ll just sit here and admire yours for a while longer.
My father was in the army (and then worked alongside the army) for 45 years, and there were several postings where my mum and I were left behind. I know how difficult it is when you have to say goodbye for long spells like that, but something tells me you’ll be fine – you have Mini-me and all whole of the blogging community to keep you company.
As for Knives Out! Well, I watched it only two days ago and now have Chris Evans on my brain thanks to that photo above. You’d better get that book written so I can see what exactly was triggered in your mind!
Enjoy your break. You deserve it and I look forward to reading your next round-up. (mini-me will have to be renamed once she shoots pasts you in height!)
Massive thanks for making my July superb.
<3
Zoé says
I’m glad you got a voucher, we got told if we want a voucher we only had until December to use it. But my brother in law has finally managed to get us a refund, have to wait 4-6 weeks so we shall see.
Oh no! That’s a shame about your flowers! The sea breeze destroyed some of my poppies as soon as they opened which Is annoying. I’m still learning but my neighbours have been helping me so I can at least grow something lol.
Oh wow! I can imagine that was not fun. This will be his third posting, I’ve done the last 2 but we are settled here so we aren’t moving. I just seen it as a long tour where he cones home at weekends. Mini me is ok about it, it’s me that can’t go anywhere, lol
Oh I love the film. Never found Chris Evans attractive until that film, now I can’t get enough lol. Well 2,000 words so far. I’m hoping to do some writing while I’m off. But I can’t use my right hand at the moment (thank god for being a lefty) so bit of a struggle!!
I know! She’s been told to stop growing!!
Thank you for making my July with all your fab posts it made the month fly by! Xxx
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
Wow Zoe no wonder you need your holiday you’ve been incredibly busy!! I hope you time your holiday at home is lovely and you get some me-time. xxx
Zoé says
I want a holiday from home, been here long enough lol. It’s just nice to have some time doing nothing and chill. Just don’t quite know how to do nothing lol xxx
Kelly says
Wow lovely, of course you’re wiped, look at what you’ve read and posted, I get tired just looking at it ? Enjoy your break, even though it’s not what you had in mind for your holidays ?
Zoé says
I know I was tired writing it up! I will try to. currently icing my hand as I’ve not been able to use it since sat. Great start to my break ? xx
Rae Reads says
You definitely deserve this break! ?❤️
Zoé says
Aw thanks lovely. X
Rae Reads says
❤️❤️
yvonnembee says
Wow what an amazing month you have had. I live your garden photos. Have a wonderful break and enjoy chilling out xx
Zoé says
I will try to !! Still feels weird doing nothing lol xx
Jessica Redland Writer says
Enjoy your break, Zoe, and don’t feel guilty about taking time out. Everyone deserves it and needs it more than ever right now. Didn’t know you were writing books so good luck with those. And thank you for the Chris Evans pic. Mmmm. xx
Zoé says
Thanks Jessica for those words. It’s not started great, got to get blood tests to see why I can’t use my right hand ??♀️ I have some words written down not sure if they will see light of day lol but yes Chris Evans ? sigh lol xx
Jules_Writes says
Enjoy your well deserved break! Your flowers are gorgeous and that’s a bit crap about your holiday – we had ours cancelled too.
Feet up and book in hand for the foreseeable x
Zoé says
Thanks lovely! Oh no where were you going? We’ve been fighting with Ryanair too ??♀️ I’m trying, but my reading has slowed down this week. Only read 2 books because I’ve been with the mini one all week ? xx
Stephen Writes says
Great post, Zoe. The flowers look wonderful! I’m also glad you got to see your mum. Football was indeed disappointing (I wanted Watford to stay up but the team let themselves down by playing well below their ability), but it looks like you read some amazing books. I hope you have a lovely August!
Zoé says
Thanks Stephen! Completely agree with Watford they had no passion I just hope they find it in the Championship and pull their finger out and then to sack the manager ??♀️ I have had an awesome reading month, Hope August is the same lol. Hope you have a lovely August too! X