Sunday, September 28, 2025

Giveaway : October 2025 Free Printable Calendar

Hey everyone!
I'm so excited to share my October 2025 calendar giveaway with you!

As you know, I love creating these monthly calendars as a little "thank you" to all of you for reading my book reviews and being such a fantastic community.

This month, I really wanted to embrace the cozy, whimsical feeling of autumn and Halloween.

I've gone for a super cheerful and colorful vibe along with lovely subjects to make the atmosphere as cozy as possible.
We've got a darling black cat, clinging to an umbrella made of gorgeous autumn leaves ( because even October rain can be adorable, right? )
...And check out that little owl perched on a friendly Halloween pumpkin... no spooky scares here, just pure cuteness!

And of course, since this is mostly a book review blog, I had to sneak in a bookish element! So I've included a sweet-looking witch, definitely a good witch, hanging out near a tiny library overflowing with books!
If you look closely, you'll even spot a friendly little mouse sitting right on the pile of books. Again: no scary mice here, just a cute bookworm! ...After all, this want to be a "cozy" corner :-).

At the top, near the month's title, are some adorable owls sitting on a branch decorated with brightly autumn-colored leaves.
And to add a touch of magic, I've scattered floating flowers in the air that remind me of falling leaves.
It’s all about creating a warm and welcoming feel.

So, how can you get your hands on this little piece of October cheer? It's super easy and completely free to download.
!


HERE IS YOUR FREE OCTOBER 2025 CALENDAR:
JUST CLICK ON THE PREVIEW IMAGE BELOW TO DOWNLOAD IT
You can use it in so many ways! 😊
Set it as your desktop wallpaper to keep you organized and smiling all month long.

Or, print it out and hang it on your wall for a pretty and practical decoration.

You can even print it on a piece of cardboard to make an adorable bookmark to keep your place in your current read.

I tried to make it as versatile as possible!

I really hope you enjoy this October calendar! Let me know what you think and how you're using it! And thanks again for all your support, it means the world to me!

Happy reading, and happy October!

Tiziana from Tizi Cozy Corner :-)

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Monday, September 15, 2025

Book review : From Cairo, With Love by Nancy Campbell Allen

From Cairo, With Love
novella
by Nancy Campbell Allen


GENRE: Regency clean romance
My rating: ★★★★★

5 full stars !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A little gem I devoured! A novelette, clean romance, that is a solid 5-star read for me, and I'm still smiling!
If you're looking for something romantic and light, refreshing, and utterly delightful, you absolutely have to pick this up.

Right from the start, I was hooked, but before I keep going on, let me tell you...
...the PLOT IN A NUTSHELL :


Valentine Baker, who's craving adventure, arrives in Venice to visit her cousin Eva, when during the stay she accepts an offer to be a companion to the wonderfully unconventional Contessa (Eva's mother-in-law ). So soon enough, they're off on a ship bound for Cairo.

They are accompanied by the charming boxer Mr. Maxwell, who has the task of accompanying them to his brother's excavations (excavations financed by the countess), to discover the truth behind the thefts of archaeological finds and to protect the two women.

Maxwell tries to keep his distance from Valentine, but her warm nature and easy laugh draw him in. He soon comes to cherish their time together, until someone attempts to drug him, and the aftermath reveals serious consequences for Valentine. He’ll do anything to keep her safe and her reputation intact, yet with treachery on board and his heart at stake, Mr. Maxwell must make a choice that will change his life forever.

______ ******* _______


What truly made this novella shine for me was how complete and satisfying it felt, despite its shorter length.
Nancy Campbell Allen is a master at crafting engaging stories, and this one is no exception.
It's a brilliant comedy romance through and through.

Forget heavy drama; this story is all about one incredibly embarrassing – and utterly hilarious – situation that pushes our two protagonists to finally declare their mutual attraction and love. It’s written with such a light touch and a wonderful sense of humor that I was genuinely laughing out loud. The engaging plot keeps you turning pages from start to finish, and the humor is just the perfect ingredient to make it feel so refreshing.


___ WONDERFUL MAIN CHARACTERS ___

Even though it's a novella, the characters really come alive. Valentine and Mr. Maxwell are fantastic, and their brilliant dialogue and personal thoughts let you into their heads and hearts immediately. Their interactions are precious, and you can practically feel their connection growing.


A tiny heads-up about the title :

"From Cairo, With Love" might make you think we're spending a lot of time in Egypt, but Cairo actually only appears right at the very end. But honestly, that's not a complaint at all!
In fact, I actually loved the little HISTORICAL NUGGETS, like discovering that Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo was a real, super famous place from the 19th century until its destruction in 1952.
It’s those little details that show how much care the author puts into her stories.:-)

And yes, for all you romance lovers out there, you'll be happy to know there's a LOVELY HAPPY ENDING!

_YEAHHH ! ___
I discovered that this novella has a prequel, again a short story named "What Happens in Venice", by the same author (inside A Timeless Romance Anthology #5), telling the love story and marriage in Venice of Valentine's cousin!
I love N. Campbell Allen write style ( I rated 5 stars some other proper romance by her ), I've already added it to my "must-read ASAP" list.

All in all, From Cairo, With Love is a delightful, charming, and genuinely funny read that will leave you with a huge smile on your face. Highly, highly recommend!

Thank you for reading my opinion and please be lenient with any error in my text ( English is not my native language ).

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Monday, September 08, 2025

Book review : Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn

Night of a Thousand Stars
City of Jasmine book #2
by Deanna Raybourn

GENRE : #historical-adventure-mystery
( with a little touch of romance)


My rating: ★★★★★
Actually 4,5 stars rounded up to 5.

Deanna Raybourn's "Night of a Thousand Stars" it's a bit of a misleading title, it's suitable for a romance, I would title it instead: "A Daring Escape into a World of Intrigue"!
Prepare to be swept away!
This is a gripping adventure, a captivating journey that had me turning pages late into the night.

The story is a fantastic journey of self-discovery, intrigue, and daring feats.
I rated it a solid 4.5 stars thanks to its thrilling plot, vibrant characters, and fascinating historical depth.

----> It would've easily been 5 stars if only there had been more romance all the way through!

_____ THE PLOT IN A NUTSHELL __

We are in England in the early 1920s.
The story kicks off with a bang when the spirited Poppy Hammond, on the cusp of an uninspired aristocratic marriage, makes the only sensible choice: she flees her own wedding in her gown!

With the unexpected assistance of the charming curate, Sebastian Cantrip, Poppy escapes to her estranged father's quiet country village.
Though her family's uproar follows, the dust eventually settles, but then Sebastian vanishes under mysterious circumstances. This disappearance ignites Poppy's determination, revealing that her enigmatic rescuer is far more than he seems.

Driven by a strong hunch and whispered clues, Poppy, accompanied only by her loyal lady’s maid, secures new employment and embarks on a clandestine journey east across the seas.
What unfolds is a breathtaking odyssey fraught with danger as Poppy finds herself entangled in the clutches of those determined to unearth a fabled ancient treasure.
Amidst conflicting loyalties—to her kindly employer and a dashing, shadowy figure—Poppy risks everything to unravel a much larger conspiracy, one that reaches into the very heart of the British government and threatens all she holds dear.

***** ________ *****


The synopsis, title, cover, and even the opening pages all heavily hinted at a good dose of romance and flirtation, but honestly, the author just didn't develop that side of things. So, if you're a romantic at heart craving deep courtship, playful banter, and sweet or passionate kisses, you might want to look elsewhere.

Luckily for me, I'm a big fan of adventure, and the story still totally swept me away!
It was a daring whirlwind of escapes, clever disguises, characters who kept me guessing (were they good? bad? both?), plenty of action, fascinating historical insights, and a surprise ending that neither the main character, Poppy March, nor the reader saw coming.

While the book definitely could've used more flirty excitement, we do eventually get a happy ending in the final chapters, complete with a kiss and some implied (but not described!) intimacy.

----> For readers familiar with Raybourn's work and especially for all fans of the "Lady Julia mystery series", here is a little gem: Poppy is none other than Lady Julia's brother's daughter!!!!
... And as such you will have the pleasure of meeting again, albeit in a more mature guise, Plum, Julia's brother.

It's worth also noting that "Night of a Thousand Stars" is it's the sequel/completion of the novel "City of Jasmine" ( Book #1 in City of Jasmine series ).
This adventure beautifully intertwines with the world of Gabriel Starke and his wife Eve (main characters in City of Jasmine ), featuring Sebastian as a close friend of Gabriel's since the time before the Great War.
The story also explores the nature of their bond and how it dragged Sebastian, and consequently Poppy, into an equally frenetic, dangerous, and utterly exciting adventure in the exotic locales of Damascus.


____ A THRILLING RIDE _________

From beginning to end, this novel is a riveting, fast-paced adventure that rarely lets up.
Desperate escapes, clever disguises, ambiguous allies and adversaries, intense action...Certainly, while reading I didn't have time to get bored and the swing of positive and dangerous events kept the tension high.
Author Deanna Raybourn masterfully juggles multiple plot threads and a vibrant cast, blending all the elements together so spectacularly that I never once felt lost or confused.

Unfortunately, as I've already noted above, the romantic development is so subtle that it's barely noticeable.
However, the plot offers a satisfying conclusion not only in terms of the villains' punishment and the discovery of Sebastan's secrets, but also from a sentimental standpoint: without expecting great things, you can close the book knowing that our couple has found their perfect ending.


________CHARACTERS THAT SHINE:________

I was particularly captivated by the dynamic between Poppy and Sebastian. Despite secrets and significant time apart in the narrative ( until, they feel incredibly in tune as a couple.

SEBSTIAN: In a refreshing change, the male lead utterly stole the show for me here.
Sebastian is not only intelligent and patient but also remarkably humble. He endures Poppy's spirited, if sometimes naive, chatter with grace.
Circumstances compel him to maintain a strict adherence to duty, preventing him from immediately succumbing to Poppy's more brazen provocations. Yet, he is never offensive or rude, unlike Gabriel in the previous book.
His charm lies in his quiet strength, his often-enigmatic presence (especially in his "desert prince attire"), and his profound devotion to protecting Poppy with unwavering courage.

POPPY: While initially a touch insistent in her judgments and impulsive in her pursuit of dangerous plans, Poppy acts with immense heart and enthusiasm. Her good intentions redeem her stubbornness and occasional superficiality when navigating perilous situations.
Her entire journey is crucial to her emotional growth, transforming her from a somewhat naive young woman into a responsible adult. Even the VILLAINS and POSITIVE SUPPORTING CHARACTERS are remarkably interesting.
Despite the book's substantial length, the intense sequence of events meant there wasn't always space for deep dives into every individual. Yet, Raybourn skillfully conveys each character's unique traits through a few vivid scenes and lines, leaving a lasting impression.


______ A DELIGHT FOR HISTORY BUFFS :____

One of my favorite aspects in reading historical novels is how the author seamlessly weaves a creative imagination into real historical events, introducing fascinating real-life characters.
As an Italian, my knowledge of the British Empire's intricacies beyond elementary facts is limited, and I knew even less about the eccentric or unusual British figures who dared to challenge the rigid norms of Regency and Victorian society.

This read was a delightful opportunity to learn about (and subsequently research further online) the incredible Lady Esther Stanhope, a truly astounding historical woman and the intriguing legend of the Treasure of Ashkelon.
Raybourn meticulously introduces these historical elements at precisely the right moments and gradually, making them an integral and exciting part of the narrative rather than a burdensome or boring academic detour.


I also loved the folkloristic part with the description of local customs (for example the ritual of bathing in the hammam, the way of dressing or the black make-up on the eyes...) and of some of the local gastronomic delights.
All this contributed effectively to making me fully perceive the atmosphere of that place and that time.


_____________ CONCLUDING:______

This is a beautiful, engaging and relentlessly fast-paced story that I wholeheartedly recommend to all lovers of historical adventure and light, carefree reading.

However, if your primary goal is a passionate love story with deep romantic thrills, this definitely will not satisfy that craving(sorry to say that even a "proper regency romance" will give you more shivers on your skin and butterflies in your stomach).

___SUITABLE FOR ALMOST ALL AGES ___

_ Clean language.
_ While there's a hint of a sex scene towards the end, it is discreetly handled and not explicitly described.
_ While the plot involves three or four murders, none of these scenes are detailed graphically.


Thank you all for stopping by and reading my opinion, I hope it can be helpful in choosing your next book :-)

Curious to learn more about the book "City of Jasmine" to which this is a sort of sequel?
Read my review here:

A review of the short prequel that tells the story of Eve's first meeting with her husband Gabriel, can be found here: WHISPER OF JASMINE book #0.5

Gabriel and Eve, adventure in Damascus :
CITY OF JASMINE book #1

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ITALIAN EDITION : libro disponibile anche in italiano : RECENSIONE DISPONIBILE NEI PROSSIMI GIORNI

Giveaway : October 2025 Free Printable Calendar

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to share my October 2025 calendar giveaway with you! As you know, I love creat...