The Harry Moseley Story "Making it Happen" by Simon Goodyear

The Harry Moseley Story – “Making It Happen.” by Simon Goodyear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 160

Publisher - JMD Media LTD

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

This is the story of a young boy's dream of finding a cure for people with cancer, just like him. Told through the eyes of his mother, it is a true and honest account on his positive, cheery, determined and selfless outlook, The Harry Moseley Story - Making it Happen is a true account of how a 'normal' little boy with big dreams and a selfless, compassionate outlook on life proves that with hard work, anything can be achieved. This is an emotional, heart-warming and truly inspirational account of how a little boy's dream of helping others changed the lives of millions and will probably make you take a look at yourself in the process Harry gripped the nation by making and selling beaded bracelets all by himself, with all the proceeds he raised going to charity. When Harry passed away in October 2011 he had raised a staggering £650,000 for his chosen charities but his legacy lives on. During his fight against brain cancer Harry befriended many people via his Twitter account including his peers and many famous celebrities from all over the world. In 2012, a charity 'Help Harry Help Others' was set up to carry on his work.



My Review

So I hadn't heard about Help Harry Help Others, Harry Moseley, this is the weans story. I was at the Ice Hockey and a guy called Dave had bead bracelets for my pal, gave one to me (I was with her) and when I offered to pay he said no they were spreading awareness for the weans charity. So of course I went home and checked it out (https://hhho.org.uk/) - I added a donation for my bracelet, I bought a couple of copies of the book and a few bracelets to put them in with the BDWBs for workies.

So meet Harry, the wean was diagnosed with a brain tumour, inoperable and whilst getting treatment he met an older gentleman whom he befriended. The wean started his mission, the help find a cure for brain cancer and raising funds to do so, there began HHHO and his bracelet making.

The wean took the world by storm, word spread, he helped teach kids how to make the bracelets so they could continue his missing raising funds for research/the cure and a percentage for their school funds.

He travelled, did talks/education, met celebrities and all the while treated everyone the same and embraced his diagnosis with so much positivity it shines through the pages. Each chapter has a passage from celebrities who met the wean and ambassadors for his charity/mission.

The love for him and his bravery through from diagnosis to his final journey, ooft, the wean inspirational, he said something along the lines of putting CAN into cancer and that is the perfect line for Harry. He was selfless, caring, way beyond his young years, always looking to do for others and even when he started having rough days the wean still powered through. The tart of the book says have tissues and its true, you should. Whilst it is obviously heartbreaking there is so much hope, inspiration, happiness and love - whilst I never met Harry I feel after reading this I know him. A little glimpse of the ray of sunshine that wean projected, I wear my bracelet to every game and tell folk about his mission and website. Harry may be no longer here physically but he has sure left his mark on the world and his legacy lives on. If we can even have a smidge of Harry in us the world will be a much kinder/nicer place, bless him!

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The Winter Runaway by Katie Flynn Blog Tour

Today is my stop on the blog tour for newly released "The Winter Runaway" by Katie Flynn, for my stop I have my review, enjoy. The book is out to buy tomorrow 24th of October, Amazon UK link HERE.

The Winter Runaway by Katie Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 401

Publisher - Penguin

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

*The first installment in the brand new Runaway's series from the Sunday Times bestselling author

Tammy and her mother, Grace, are desperate to escape Tammy’s violent bully of a father. But when an unforeseen tragedy strikes, mother and daughter must flee Scotland in the dead of night.

To survive the severest of penalties, they leave behind everything they know and love – including one another.

Under new identities, Tammy and Grace must start afresh. Tammy joins the services and there she meets a dashing officer who begins to break her guard down.

But can the course of true love ever run smooth with Tammy unable to reveal her true self?



My Review

First thing I need to say guys is this one opens with domestic violence (DV), violence within a family setting and the far reach of the consequences throughout the book. Tammy and her mum Grace have been terrorised by Tammy's dad, Grace's husband since as long as they can remember. Alcohol abuse, psychological and physical abuse, the man is an absolute disgrace of a human being. When one night things go to far the women flee toward Scotland, setting them on a separate path, trying to heal their wounds and constantly looking over their shoulders.

The book starts with the horrific scene of DV then flips to three months earlier and gives us a frank look into the ladies daily life. Then we go to the after, Grace and Tammy trying to get through the day whilst the war is going on mind you and the paths each has chosen. Tammy falls into hers and enlists to do her part for the war, Grace finally has some freedom and finds herself helping other woman escaping bad situations and embracing her talent. With the promise of meeting up again both Grace and Tammy do what they need to to survive.

The book bounces about a wee bit but it is done well enough that it isn't distracting and the stories flow well. Tammy ran leaving her love behind Rory so we hear from him and about Tammy's dads antics, the war happening around them. Grace finding her own feet and independence after being beaten down for so long and Tammy with a few white lies has found herself a new bestie and both volunteer to help in the war effort taking them both on new paths. Their lies and lives they have escaped have brought them together and the book very much takes us along actions/consequences, how far lasting/reaching they can be.

Relationships is hugely centric in this one, mother and daughter, husband and wife, first loves, friendship and the attitudes between ranking officers in the army which I thought was pretty interesting. That and how snotty some attitudes are also to women and how they treat them!

It is a really good read to just sink into and forget your own life for a wee bit, set in perilous times, war, poverty, danger from your own loved ones, personal growth and strength once you find the courage to leave (DV). Again this really struck a chord with me, I think it depends on your background, life experiences but this one did pack a bit of a punch and pull some emotionals from me, 4/5.

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The Girl Who Escaped from Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood

The Girl Who Escaped from Auschwitz: A totally gripping and absolutely heartbreaking World War 2 page-turner, based on a true story by Ellie Midwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time take to read - 2 days

Pages -

Publisher - Bookouture

Source - Netgalley & bought a treebook copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Millions of people walked through Auschwitz’s gates, but she was the first woman who escaped. This powerful novel tells the inspiring true story of Mala Zimetbaum, whose heroism will never be forgotten, and whose fate altered the course of history…

Nobody leaves Auschwitz alive.

Mala, inmate 19880, understood that the moment she stepped off the cattle train into the depths of hell. As an interpreter for the SS, she uses her position to save as many lives as she can, smuggling scraps of bread to those desperate with hunger.

Edward, inmate 531, is a camp veteran and a political prisoner. Though he looks like everyone else, with a shaved head and striped uniform, he’s a fighter in the underground Resistance. And he has an escape plan.

They are locked up for no other sin than simply existing. But when they meet, the dark shadow of Auschwitz is lit by a glimmer of hope. Edward makes Mala believe in the impossible. That despite being surrounded by electric wire, machine guns topping endless watchtowers and searchlights roaming the ground, they will leave this death camp.

A promise is made––they will escape together or they will die together. What follows is one of the greatest love stories in history…



My review

This is apparently based on a true story, the first female escapee from Auschwitz and an unlikely place for two people who fall in love. The book is set in Auschwitz and we follow Edek and Mala's story, each having their own chapters and it flipping between the two.

Through Edek we see the horrors in the camp, the utter disregard for human life and some of the worst atrocities. It is very hard hitting, hard to read and very emotional. Mala has things better than most prisoners there, she works in an office for the Nazi's, has clothes, food, warm, decent sleeping quarters and yet she risks everything to try and do what she can to save those she is able to and ease suffering to the others.

Edek and Mala work together to do what they can to help the resistance, their people and of course the more they see of each other a friendship begins. These kinds of books always knock you in the feels, fiction or non fiction, as they are often well researched so have an authentic voice. I went to Ann Franks house/museum in Amsterdam and reading this brought back that experience too. Your heart hurts and you are horrified to contemplate how people could do these murderous/vile/inhuman acts. Despite this being a relatively short book (under 300 pages) it manages to cover a lot of what happened there and the book has plenty for the reader to follow up reading once you finish the book. 4/5 for me this time, prepare yourself for anger, tears, horror and an emotive rollercoaster.

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