The Quartermaster scoffed. “You regularly act in deference to Queen and Country, Dr. Watson. Precisely how would you define the position?” Motherhood takes every ounce of her energy, so much so that it's like she's lost her own identity, and if it wasn't for her close friends, Jen and Charlie, she'd give up even imagining a future of music, for herself. Praise God that He honors even our stumbling toward obedience in this area with the ability to keep going on the narrow path, even when we don’t feel like we have the strength to take another step. There was no time to process what had just happened because Stanley had already appeared in the doorway. Going into this book I expected a regular "Mummy memoir" about how life is pretty hectic and awful and partners are no help, but ultimately the children and sweet and "worth it".

Since giving birth to her second child, Lucy's life is totally the romance in her marriage is officially dead and so is the career it took her years to build. I absolutely loved the overall message of this book. Highlighting the importance of relishing in our differences and striving to be our true selves, no matter what that entails. You can tell that the author has lived this experience. Her knowledge and personal touch is added so beautifully to the character of Lucy. It made it all feel so incredibly real, almost like I was reading a memoir! Stan’s character wormed his way into my heart. I loved this debut novel and would love to read more by this author! This book is very much a case of writing what you know; both the author and Lucy (the central character) are cellists who performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry before starting a family. Having the vague suspicion that his jaw was hanging open; John hadn’t noticed Mycroft joining them. But, yes, there he was leaning casually against the door jamb watching them all as if at the theatre and straightening with the aspect of a naughty schoolboy. “Of course, Mummy,” was the mild reply as Mycroft gestured to the exit. Lucy was an accomplished cellist, independent, travelled around for gigs, mingled with the rich and famous and was just waiting for a big break.I spent a very enjoyable weekend reading “M is for Mummy” written by Katy Cox - classically trained cellist, blogger and now author. The Bible makes it clear that it is God’s will for us to practice continual thankfulness, and yet it also gives us lots of room for grief and sadness when life is so hard. The face matched the picture, but the scent of gunpowder was something no photo could convey. John feared he was too late yet again, failing once more to save a Holmes… Some people would have been alarmed when the heavily tinted window rolled down and a blond man with hard features and flat eyes assessed him with a heavy stare. John simply waited.

This comedic story had me laugh quite a few times out loud and earned me a quizzical look from strangers as I sat in a cafe reading. Cox has written a delightful and realistic view of life as a working parent. A struggling to manage it all working parent. An autistic child – Lucy knows Stan to a tee and meets his needs so well, regardless of what label he does or doesn’t have. She knows how to soothe him, work with his interests and strengths and he is an ultimate cutie. Stan is a mash up of my own son at that age and my nephew who is hyperlexic and highly numerate in many languages before the age of 4 and he is utterly adorable.

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I really enjoyed the strong female friendships portrayed within the story. The times that Lucy spends with her best friends Charlie and Jen are nearly always very funny. They’re loud, a little brash but they sure know how to have fun. They also act as significant support for Lucy. Her relationship with her friends provides a sharp contrast to the isolation and rejection she feels when faced with the Queen Bee mum Marsha. I thought Cox highlighted so well the feelings of inadequacy that can plague mothers when comparing themselves (wrongly) to others. We are delighted to publish an extract from Bridgend-based Katy Cox’s debut novel, based on her own experiences of motherhood. Good call.’ She nodded in approval. ‘Hand it over, will you?’ She snatched the bottle out of my hand and gave her cleavage a healthy spritz whilst I reached for a towel to cover myself up. And as to Oded Fehr, who plays the mysterious desert guardian of the mummy's tomb (a role traditionally assayed by Welsh character actors) -- I and the rest of the ladies in my party indicated, through a series of incoherent grunts and some unattractive drooling, a strong desire to see much, much more of him. And we mean that both literally and figuratively. Powers that be, please take note.

John kept his face blank. He’d been fairly confident that Mycroft was going to get him out of this… but this was hardly what he’d expected. It is also though a look at parenthood when one of your children is clearly a bit different from the average child. It was fairly obvious to me what the diagnosis would be for Stan, but he is just a loveable boy, and Lucy is doing her best to understand him, that he really is just Stanley. The sharp series of raps on the exterior door had him falling into silence. With a serious air of frustration, the man exited the room. But when he opened the exterior door, John truly relaxed. Oh, we have you now, Watson. The murder of an officer? You’ll be staring at the inside of a cell for a long time over this… Just like that mad bastard Holmes deserved.” This book makes you feel you are talking to a sincere fellow parent. Because Cox is. She is the real-life M for Mummy. Based on author Katy Cox’s life as a professional cellist, mother of two boys and her experience of neurodivergence.Cox’s main character Lucy is the mum friend you wouldn’t hesitate to befriend at the school gates. Somehow it ends up with you both drinking too much caffeine and laughing about something silly because she is refreshingly frank and honest. I found the story full of humour with a diet plan, that left me feeling heartbroken for Lucy, when her diet plan leaves her frustrated. Whatever you do, Luce, do not give birth all over Will’s new car,’ Charlie called out from the other end of the flat. Q pushed his glasses up and folded his hands in his lap. “My projections indicated that without MI6 interference, the task was going to take upwards of two years. This would have resulted in unacceptable parameters at conclusion.” He was led, the man directing only with short gestures of the gun barrel, towards a door that opened onto a familiar sight - the frantic busy aspect of medical professionals outside an operating room.