***Rinny Reviews*** On strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts

*** Disclaimer *** - I received a free copy from the lovely Clara at Little, Brown Book Group in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis

At Christmas time, it seems as though a woman's work is never done. Trimming the tree, mailing the cards, schlepping to the mall, the endless wrapping - bah humbug! So this year, Joy and Laura and the rest of their knitting group decide to go on strike. If their husbands and families want a nice holiday filled with parties, decorations, and presents - well, they'll just have to do it themselves.

The boycott soon takes on a life of its own when a reporter picks up the story and more women join in. But as Christmas Day approaches, Joy, Laura, and their husbands confront larger issues in their marriages and discover that a little holiday magic is exactly what they need to come together.

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Published December 2nd 2014 by Piatkus (first published October 30th 2007)

Review

When Clara offered me the chance to read one of Sheila Robert's three Christmas books being released today, I jumped at the chance I love Christmas reads but do not often get to fit them in around all the craziness of the season. It was tough choosing one but On strike for Christmas sounded perfect, who does not or has not ever felt like packing it in and going on strike for Christmas I know I have. (I will include the synopsis of the other two books after my review, I hope to read these through the rest of December, fingers crossed!) 

As soon as i started reading this book, I was captivated. I did not put it down except too put tea in the oven. The only thing missing was a roaring coal fire! Unfortunately our electric one doesn't quite give the feeling the same. This book is a heart warming, fun, cozy read, at times i was laughing out loud, others i was fighting tears. It is a perfect Christmas read. In fact so much it has lifted my christmas spirit so much i plan to tackle some more Christmas shopping i have put off the past week.

The book follows an array of different characters from a small town and their Christmas stories. They all are in different situations and are all so relatable. Even the poor men that get the Christmas duties dumped on them, Even if I am more like Bob when it comes to socializing I also have alot of Joy in me. You can see where both sides are coming from in all of the different characters stories. I like the fact that we are following the strike from lots of POV'S, not only are they relatable all of the characters are realistic and by the end you feel like you know all of them so well and they all grow throughout the book, learning invaluable lessons. Its rare when you just cannot pick a favourite character from a book  but this is one of those times. It is also so hard to pick a favourite moment as there is just too many situations they all find themselves in that are simply priceless. Glen LOL the stuff he gets himself into still makes me chuckle. He reminds me so much of my husband.

The book is an easy, enjoyable read full of wit and paced perfectly. It has the right mix of fun and seriousness in.  I loved the terminology the characters used and the playfulness in the author's writing. I think not only the Grinch's out there but the Yulezilla's would all enjoy and get something out of this charming festive read.

I'm so glad my husband is a big kid at Christmas and does help out or I might have just joined in the strike this year. I think that as you read not only do the characters learn and grow but for Christmas stress heads like me or those less inclined to help out their other half's learn too. Christmas does not have to be perfect or a one person job. Having a perfect Christmas would not be perfect without the people who mean the most around you. Appreciate everyone in your life and all the things they do do for you or with you. Even if you are otherwise inclined.

My Rating : 

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Sheila's other Christmas releases today

When Kiley Gray discovers an enchanting snow globe in an antique shop, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. For years, the snow globe has passed from generation to generation, somehow always landing in the hands of a person in special need of a Christmas miracle.

Kiley could use a miracle herself. This year, all she wants for Christmas is someone to love. A hopeful shake leads her on an adventure that makes a believer out of her. When Kiley shares the story of the snow globe with her best friends-two women with problems of their own-they don't believe it. But they're about to discover that at Christmastime, sometimes the impossible becomes possible and miracles really do come true.

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When a guy is in trouble, he starts making deals with his Creator . . . and Ambrose the cat is no exception. In danger of losing his ninth and final life, Ambrose makes a desperate plea to the universe. He'll do anything if he can just survive and enjoy a nice long, final life. His prayer is answered when a stranger comes along and saves him-and now it looks like he has to hold up his end of the bargain.

The stranger turns out to be a firefighter named Zach, who's in need of some serious romantic help. If Ambrose can just bring Zach together with Merilee, the nice lady who works at Pet Palace, it's bound to earn him a healthy ninth life. Unfortunately for Ambrose, his mission is a lot harder than he ever thought. Merriliee is way too shy to make the first move on a ladies man like Zach, and Zach thinks he's all wrong for a nice girl like Merrilee. Now it's going to take all of Ambrose's feline wiles-and maybe even a good old fashioned Christmas miracle-to make them both realize that what they're looking for is right in front of their eyes.

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*** Rinny Reviews *** Our Zoo by June Mottershead

Disclaimer : I was Provided a free copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Title: Our Zoo

Author: June Mottershead

          Publish Date: October 9th 2014 

           Published by: Headline

Genre: Memoir

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Synopsis

Until I brought friends back from school I didn't realise that most people didn't have baby lions in their bedrooms when they were sick, or bring parrots into the house so they wouldn't catch cold.'

Chester Zoo is counted among the top 10 zoos in the world and, with over 11,000 animals and 400 species, it is the most visited wildlife attraction in Britain. Unlike other zoos that owe their existence to philanthropists, explorers or big game hunters, Chester Zoo was the brainchild of one working-class man with a dream he had nurtured since he was a boy: to build a zoo without bars.

June Mottorshead was four years old when her father, George, moved his family to Upton, two miles out Chester, to begin the process of turning his dream into a reality. With no other children around to play with - her sister Muriel was 10 years older - June's friends became the animals. Her closest companion was an orphaned chimpanzee which her sister hadshe hand reared, and for six years the two were inseparable. June soon became the poster girl for Chester Zoo and photographs of her cuddling lion clubs, head-butting a goat or opening the beak of a pelican soon graced the front pages of British newspapers. She was 13 when war was declared on 1939 and, with the backbone of the staff headed for the front, it fell to June to take over as head keeper. Keeping the zoo running while the war waged was no easy task. Despite rationing the animals had to be fed and all of them - penguins, elephants, leopards, tigers, lions, kangaroos and polar bears - needed to be moved into secure locked quarters inside as soon as the air raid siren sounded.

June, now in her eighties, is the guardian of her family's legacy and here in Our Zoo, she tells

Review

About 6 years ago I moved to England from Scotland to live with the man I love and went on to marry a year later. I left all my family and friends and most of my belongings behind and one of my favourite memories of that time was our first family trip out ( me, my husband, his daughter and my mother in law), we went to Chester Zoo. I loved it I fell in love with the place right there and then. I have always had a love for animals some might call it an obsession lol. I always wanted dreamed of working in a zoo. Unfortunately on going health issues hasn't allowed this. Below is some photos I took that day.

Recently you might have heard or watched Our Zoo on the BBC, a drama program about the life of the Mottershead family and how Chester Zoo began. It is a wonderful series and I hope we get a season two and many more to follow the story. That being said of course as it is a television show although based on the true events that happened, it is also dramatized and has changes for obvious reasons.

A few days ago I was browsing Netgalley and couldn't believe when I saw that this book was being released. I knew I had to request it. I could not pass up the opportunity of finding out more about what actually happened and getting to know the family and animals a little more. I was not disappointed.

This book has a magical feel to it not only do we hear a first person account of the different troubles that the family and the zoo faced, we find out all about the animals that were on the journey along side them. We get to know June, her family and friends (human and animal). It did not feel like i was reading a book but sitting snuggled up listening to a grandparent telling me stories from their childhood. A wonderful feeling that I can honestly say a book has never ever gave me before.

This book takes you through all the emotions, I laughed and I cried. It was a heart warming and heartbreaking roller-coaster. We follow the story of the early days of the zoo highs and lows through June's retelling. From Mary the chimp to Pelly the pelican. From opening the zoo's gate to surviving the rationing during the war. It is truly a remarkable story. What a life June has lead, what she has seen and done is amazing.  Most people dream to work with animals in a zoo or go see them, but to live in a zoo it is so unbelievably wonderful and beyond what anyone could think it would be like. As well as a lot of sacrifice and hard work.

I also thought that the book was beautiful not only its cover but cute illustrations above each new chapter of different animals. At the beginning is a map showing the zoo grounds and dates each new exhibit etc was added.You also get to know not only about the animals and their different personalities. We get to learn little facts about the species and different animals which as a animal lover I adored.

The only things I did not like were only small details and in no way had a negative impact on my enjoyment of the book. At times i felt we were jumping back and forth in time within a paragraph or two. This made the book feel a little disjointed at times. Perhaps it was just me though because like I said it did not have a negative impact on me.The only other thing was it seemed to end so abruptly which perhaps because I would like to read more and more never ending tales of the zoo felt disappointing.

I have only ever read one memoir/auto biography before. I was in my teens and if  I am honest not much of it stayed with me. However this book has touched me in many ways and will stay with me for a very long time. I would love to read more stories about the family and Chester Zoo. I would recommend this book to any one who has ever visited Chester Zoo or has a love for animals great and small. I am already planning on buying a few copies of this book as part of Christmas presents for family and a copy for myself. Hands down my favourite read of this year so far.

My Rating : 

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