Smorgasbord Book Promotions – Summer Book Fair 2023 – #Memoir #Stroke Maureen Twomey, #Memoir #France Lindy Viandier, #Humour #Life #Shortstories Geoff Le Pard

This year in the second part of the Summer Book Fair, I will be sharing my recommended books from the last 12 months and sharing either my review or one of  their top reviews.

In this last post in the Summer Book Fair series I am sharing three new books that have been featured in the last few weeks.

The first is author today is Maureen Twomey with her memoir Before, Afdre, and After (My stroke … oh what fun)

About the book

When Maureen Twomey was only thirty-three years old, she experienced a massive stroke—one that took away her ability to read, write, walk, and even speak (AAAAAAAHHH!!). Well, she wasn’t about to go down without a fight. In Before, Afdre, and After, Twomey offers a sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes comical, and ultimately inspiring account of what it is to lose everything when you’re supposed to be in the prime of your life—and what it takes to get it back, piece by tiny piece.

One of the reviews for the book

Gwendolyn Plano5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary journey after a stroke

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸

Soon after I read Twomey’s book, I suffered a cerebral spinal cord leak that affected my memory, my focus, my life. Her book helped me through this ordeal and provided hope. I was charmed by her lightheartedness, and her ability to take one step at a time and be thankful for it. As she relays so beautifully in Before, AFDRE, and After, life has surprises that challenge us to our core. It’s our choice how we respond. I’m indebted to the author for she unknowingly accompanied me through my challenging journey. 

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Connect to Maureen: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Maureen: Goodreads – Website/Blog: Maureen Twomey WordPress – Facebook: Maureen Twomey 7 – Twitter: @Maureen_2me

The next book is the second in the Life at Les Libellules series released in late June and already receiving great reviews. Mellow Mist and Walnut Wine: A recipe for Life in the French Countryside by Lindy Viandier.

One of the reviews for the book

M. Werdermann 5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect de-stressor  Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Light a candle, pour yourself a glass of wine, and join Lindy and Mr. V. in the French countryside to let your daily cares drift away. It’s not often that a sequel is as good as the original, but this is one of those rare exceptions. Mellow Mists and Walnut Wine picks up where Damsen Skies and Dragon Flies left off, following the intrepid couple’s further adventures renovating a 300-year-old, fairytale French house and learning more about its fascinating history and environment along the way. Side trips to beautiful locales are described in exquisite detail, and characters familiar and new add depth to the stories.

It’s a gentle read, full of love of nature and the local culture. …and then there are the recipes! Having LOVED the recipes from her first book, I can’t wait to try these new ones. Lindy’s recipes are both simple to make and sumptuous to taste! I highly recommend Mellow Mists and Walnut Wine. If you haven’t read Damsen Skies and Dragon Flies already, though, I highly recommend you get both and start reading from the beginning. 

Head over to read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US – And: Worldwide

Also by Lindy Viandier

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US – Follow Lindy: Goodreads – Facebook: Lindy Viandier – Twitter: @LindyViandier – Instagram: La Belle Vie in Burgundy

The final book today is the  latest release by Geoff Le Pard…a short story collection  Life, DEATH and Other Characters

About the collection

What would you do if you were to host a dinner party and the sky wasn’t what you’d ordered? Could you find someone to shake out the creases from the clouds and tone down the wind to an acceptable zephyr? And what are the challenges facing a Portal Management Volunteer as they steer the recently departed to their chosen Hereafter? Or how would you organise your life if you were called to do God service just when you’d planned on making marmalade that weekend? Life, DEATH and Other Characters will inform and, where necessary, guide you through these and other complications amongst a lot of other short fiction that will educate inform and entertain. Well, maybe one out of three.

One of the reviews for the book on Goodreads

V.M. Sang Five Stars June 22, 2023

Geoff Le Pard has written a book of short stories that are not to be missed. Whoever you are, there is something for you here. I am not usually one for short stories, but I loved this.
There is such a variety of stories here. Some are irreverent, with tales of problems that God has; some are lough out loud funny; some are short; some are longer; some have deeper meanings for those who wish to search for them.

I love the tales where Death (or De’Ath as he has decided to call himself) is a character, but I can’t say I have a favourite story. They are all my favourites.

It is an easy read for when you have only a few minutes and don’t want to plough through a chapter of a full-scale novel. There will be a story that can fit into your time-scale. Or do what I did and start at the beginning and continue to the end.

Some of the stories are commentaries (disguised, of course) on modern life, and politics.
Whoever you are, I recommend this book to you. 

Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

A selection of books by Geoff Le Pard

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Website: Geoff Le Pard – Goodreads: Geoff on Goodreads – Twitter: @geofflepard

 

Thanks for joining me for the Summer Book Fair and I hope you have loaded up your TBRs to enjoy over the coming months.. Sally.