Christmas Wishes by Sue Moorcroft ~ Cosy Christmas Read. Book Review. ~ Pre-Order now

 

TITLE - Christmas Wishes

AUTHOR - Sue Moorcroft

BUY LINK - Pre-order here

SYNOPSIS - 
A sparkling Christmas read from the Sunday Times bestseller - perfect to snuggle up with this winter!

Hannah and Nico are meant to be together.

But fate is keeping them apart...

As soon as Hannah bumps into her brother Rob's best friend Nico in Stockholm, the two rekindle a fast friendship. But Hannah has a boyfriend - and Nico has two children to look after.

When Hannah loses her beloved shop in Stockholm, though, she is forced to move back to the little village of Middledip - only to find Nico has just moved in too. Under the same snowy sky, can the childhood friends make a romance work - or are there too many obstacles standing in their way?

A heartwarming story of love, friendship, and Christmas magic, perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley and Jill Mansell.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780008392994
Number of pages: 400
Weight: 270 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 mm

Firstly, who could not instantly fall in love with this book, just by looking at the charming cover. It invites you in to the cosy house, where there may be a log fire burning to keep you warm from the snow outside. A book cover can often sell a book to me.

Now to the book. This was another captivating and engaging read by the Author. I've never been disappointed by her winter reads, but to me this was the best by far. 

Enter Hannah, the protagonist. A real family girl; warm, caring, likeable and hardworking. The sort of friend you would love to have in your life. She's also fall of dreams, living in Stockholm and running her little shop, full of amazing gifts and treasures. The sort of shop I could spend ages in. 

The Author's description of Stockholm, makes you feel that you have been there. From the sights and sounds of the shops and cafes with their chatter. From the delicious sounding food, that draws you in to the restaurants.

Then there's her Boyfriend Albin. I didn't like him. Obnoxious, and to me self centred. Hannah was too good for him. He's a partner in the shop but leaves Hannah to run it. Sadly though, Hannah ends up losing her much loved shop, thanks to Albin, and heads back to her old life in England.

Enter another loveable character, Nico, her Brother Rob's best friend from school, who Hannah knows well. Single Dad to Josie, hardworking, and with a complicated ex-wife, who brings a lot of drama with her! However, could there a spark between Hannah and Nico? I hoped so. You'll have to read it to find out!

 For any of you that have not read any Sue Moorcroft books, firstly where have you been? For those that have, this is a wonderful return to the fictional village of Middledip, and a visit to some of the wonderful characters we have encountered previously. But don't worry if you haven't visited Middledip before, as this is a perfect standalone read too. I couldn't put this book down, and didn't want it to end.

Visit Stockholm. Click here. 

Summer on a Sunny Island by Sue Moorcroft ~ Book Review

TITLE - Summer on a Sunny Island

AUTHOR - Sue Moorcroft

BUY LINK - Click 

SYNOPSIS 

This summer, sparks are flying on the island of Malta…

When Rosa Hammond splits up from her partner Marcus, her Mum Dory suggests a summer in Malta. Not one to sit back and watch her daughter be unhappy, Dory introduces Rosa to Zach, in the hope that romance will bloom under the summer sun. But Rosa’s determined not to be swayed by a handsome man – she’s in Malta to work, after all.

Zach, meanwhile, is a magnet for trouble and is dealing with a fair few problems of his own. Neither Rosa or Zach are ready for love – but does fate have other ideas? And after a summer in paradise, will Rosa ever want to leave?

Having been to Malta several times as a child, and again as an adult, it holds a special place in my heart. I was therefore excited to see that Sue Moorcroft had written a book, based in Malta. I knew it would be descriptive after having read "One Summer In Italy".

Immediately as you start reading you are drawn into the beauty of this small island, with it's charming fishing boats, lovely pavement cafes and clear seas. Throughout the book the author is very descriptive about the island, which having been there I could picture. 

The Author had given us two main characters at the start, Rosa, who had just split from her partner and had been encouraged to come to Malta by her Mother, and then Zach, who was renovating an apartment for his family, in the apartment building which Rosa's Mother was living in. Rosa's Mother was a celebrity chef in Malta and often tried to get Rosa to help her out, so there are some delicious dishes described in the book.

The relationship between Rosa and Zach, both "Military Brats", was slow to blossom, but Zach came across as a kind and loving friend. There are many family members in the story, and the author has developed a real closeness between the family members, which is lovely to read. The Military aspect is an interesting read too, as it talks about life for children living in Malta, who's parents are in the Military. 

For a change, there is another "side story" which adds a little criminal element to the tale, with the introduction of Luccio, who Zach is trying to help. An unusual element for a Sue Moorcroft book, but it did not feel out of place, and was well blended with the main story line. 

This book is full of content and not at all predictable. I found it an enjoyable read and something slightly different from the Author. 

Book Review ~ Let it Snow ~ Author #SueMoorcroft

TITLE - Let it Snow

AUTHOR - Sue Moorcroft

FORMAT - Kindle

PAGES - 378

Buy Link - Click here

SYNOPSIS - 

This Christmas, the villagers of Middledip are off on a very Swiss adventure…

Family means everything to Lily Cortez and her sister Zinnia, and growing up in their non-conventional family unit, they and their two mums couldn’t have been closer.

So it’s a bolt out of the blue when Lily finds her father wasn’t the anonymous one-night stand she’d always believed – and is in fact the result of her mum's reckless affair with a married man.

Confused, but determined to discover her true roots, Lily sets out to find the family she’s never known; an adventure that takes her from the frosted, thatched cottages of Middledip to the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland, via a memorable romantic encounter along the way…

The Sunday Times bestseller returns with a gloriously cosy read, perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Trisha Ashley and Carole Matthews

MY REVIEW

I know I've said it before, but when you pick up a Sue Moorcroft book you just know that you're in for a lovely, cosy and chilled bit of reading time. So sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy the ride.

This book takes us back to Middledip; the village where many of Sues books are set, and a place where I feel as if I have already visited it myself. From Middledip you are then taken on a wonderful trip to Switzerland. Now this is a place that has long been on my bucket list, and this book only enhanced my dream of going there. It is full of wonderful picturesque scenery, lots of snow, Christmas markets and Cuckoo Clocks! It is so beautifully described and the style of Sue's writing makes you believe it is somewhere you have been to.

A cosy Christmas read would be nothing without a strong central character. In this book it is Lily. There are some other great characters in this book; Zinnia her Sister, who to me can appear interfering. Then there's her unconventional Parents in the form of two Mothers Patsie and Roma.

Lily's life is anything but straightforward. She is fleeing her broken marriage and seeks advice from her Mother who it turns out has been hiding a big secret that Lily has other siblings, from an affair she had several years ago. One of her siblings lives in Switzerland and when she gets the chance to travel there to sing at the Christmas Markets with the Town Choir, she jumps at the idea. This may lead her to her half siblings and enable her to see them and tell them she is their Sister.

Things don't always go to plan and this book is anything but unpredictable. Throw a handsome man into the mix in the shape of Isaac and you have perfection. 

I couldn't put this book down. Wonderful landscapes; Romance; great characters; brilliant story line. What more could you want? It's another 5 star read from me. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author, an international bestselling author and has held the #1 spot in the UK Kindle chart. She writes contemporary fiction with sometimes unexpected themes.

Sue has won a Best Romantic Read Award, received two nominations at the Romantic Novel

of the Year Awards and is a Katie Fforde Bursary winner. Her short stories, serials, articles, columns, courses and writing 'how to' have sold around the world.

An army child, Sue was born in Germany then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK. She's worked in a bank, as a bookkeeper (probably a mistake), as a copytaker for Motor Cycle News and for a digital prepress. She's pleased to have now wriggled out of all 'proper jobs'.

Newsletter sign-up: http://bit.ly/2jUlSwl

Website: www.suemoorcroft.com
Blog: http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com.
Twitter: @suemoorcroft
Facebook: sue.moorcroft.3 and facebook.com/SueMoorcroftAuthor
Instagram: suemoorcroftauthor

Book Review ~ A Summer To Remember by Sue Moorcroft #NorthantsAuthors

TITLE - A Summer to Remember

AUTHOR - Sue Moorcroft

PUBLISHER - Avon

Buy Link - Amazon UK

BLURB -

WANTED! A caretaker for Roundhouse Row holiday cottages.

WHERE? Nelson’s Bar is the perfect little village. Nestled away on the Norfolk coast we can offer you no signal, no Wi-Fi and – most importantly – no problems!

WHO? The ideal candidate will be looking for an escape from their cheating scumbag ex-fiancé, a diversion from their entitled cousin, and a break from their traitorous friends.

WHAT YOU’LL GET! Accommodation in a chocolate-box cottage, plus a summer filled with blue skies and beachside walks. Oh, and a reunion with the man of your dreams.

PLEASE NOTE: We take no responsibility for any of the above scumbags, passengers and/or traitors walking back into your life…

GET IN TOUCH NOW TO MAKE THIS A SUMMER TO REMEMBER!

MY REVIEW

I always know what I'm going to get from a Sue Moorcroft book. Picturesque locations; warm characters and an engaging story-line.

The story-line in this book centers around Clancy, who is escaping her life in London for reasons only the reader will know. She's moving to the village of Nelsons Bar, the home of her Cousin Alice. Alice has moved away and Clancy is taking care of her property interests.

Of course as with any good female fiction book, it's a story of love, betrayal, broken hearts, family drama and friendships. This book has all of this in abundance and much more.

I loved the level headed Clancy; thoughtful and kind Aaron and carefree and somewhat reckless Alice. There are many wonderful characters in the book, all with very different personalities.

It was a great story and I found it hard to put down, finishing it in two sessions. It certainly didn't disappoint.  If you want to read a book, that is endearing and full of interesting characters, set in a beautiful location, then this book is for you. It's a great read and perfect for your holidays. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author, an international bestselling author and has held the #1 spot in the UK Kindle chart. She writes contemporary fiction with sometimes unexpected themes.

Sue has won a Best Romantic Read Award, received two nominations at the Romantic Novel of the Year Awards and is a Katie Fforde Bursary winner. Her short stories, serials, articles, columns, courses and writing 'how to' have sold around the world.

An army child, Sue was born in Germany then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK. She's worked in a bank, as a bookkeeper (probably a mistake), as a copytaker for Motor Cycle News and for a digital prepress. She's pleased to have now wriggled out of all 'proper jobs'.

Newsletter sign-up: http://bit.ly/2jUlSwl

Website: www.suemoorcroft.com
Blog: http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com.
Twitter: @suemoorcroft
Facebook: sue.moorcroft.3 and facebook.com/SueMoorcroftAuthor
Instagram: suemoorcroftauthor

Just For The Holidays by Sue Moorcroft -- Book Review & Q&A with the author - #Avon Books

TITLE - Just For The Holidays

AUTHOR - Sue Moorcroft

PUBLISHER - Avon Books

PAGES - 400 e-book

BUY LINK - Click here

SYNOPSIS 

The #1 bestselling author returns for summer! Grab your sun hat, a cool glass of wine, and the only book you need on holiday…

In theory, nothing could be better than a summer spent basking in the French sun. That is, until you add in three teenagers, two love interests, one divorcing couple, and a very unexpected pregnancy.

Admittedly, this isn’t exactly the relaxing holiday Leah Beaumont was hoping for – but it’s the one she’s got. With her sister Michele’s family falling apart at the seams, it’s up to Leah to pick up the pieces and try to hold them all together.

But with a handsome helicopter pilot staying next door, Leah can’t help but think she might have a few distractions of her own to deal with…

A glorious summer read, for you to devour in one sitting - perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Carole Matthews and Trisha Ashley.

MY REVIEW 

I wanted a nice cosy pool side read for my holidays, so the the title of this book sounded ideal. I was not disappointed.

I loved the characters in this book, especially the strong and independent Leah; Aunt; Sister; Best friend; lover and all round great girl. Leah was just the person you'd like as a friend. Just add to the mix a sexy man next door and you've got yourself a great read!  

The Author has obviously done a lot of research for this book, from the landing of a helicopter in an emergency situation, to the beautiful descriptions of the Gite and it's wonderful setting in Alsace. The region sounds incredible. The Authors' writing really brings the location alive, so much so, that you could almost believe you'd been there yourself! You'll want to add it to your bucket list of destinations to visit. 

The plot is a great mix of family trials and tribulations. There's a family drama around every corner. Love struck teenagers and tense affairs flow throughout. 

I thoroughly loved this read, and it was perfect for the poolside, just as I wanted it to be. This is another great book by Sue Moorcroft, who never fails to disappoint. It's a holiday must! 

UPDATE - I am pleased to say that this book has now just been given "Best Seller" Status on Amazon! 

My Q & A With Sue Moorcroft 

1. Do you read your book reviews? If so how do you deal with bad or good ones? That’s if you ever get any bad ones!

I do read book reviews, yes. I certainly check out any a book blogger takes the trouble to post. When a book’s freshly released then I view online reviews too. The good ones put a big smile on my face and I simply accept the bad ones. Anyone is entitled not to like my books – I don’t like every book I begin so how can I expect 100% love from others? I do prefer anyone being critical to be so for good reasons. The reviewer saying she hated the prologue when there is no prologue, or that she bought the book by mistake so is giving it one star doesn’t, for me, fall into the ‘reasoned’ category.

2. How do you select the names of your characters?

Most of them come out of my Dictionary of First Names or my ‘naming baby’ books. Sometimes I’ll hear a name and store it up to use. The names of my hero and heroine in my Christmas 2017 book, Give Me Till Christmas, came from gravestones!

3. What did you edit out of Just for the Holidays?

A lot of stuff about helicopters. As there’s a forced landing in Just for the Holidays a pilot offered to take me up and demonstrate autorotation, which every helicopter pilot needs to have at his/her command to get back to earth safely if the engine cuts out in mid-air. An account of this can be found in the bonus material at the end of the book but there was more about it in the book itself before I realised I was letting my research show.

4. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book or do you do it as you go along?

It varies book to book but for Just for the Holidays I went to the French region of Alsace for four days to visit the city of Strasbourg and a nearby village. After a lot of networking I got an introduction to the pilot/owner of a helicopter maintenance company, Skytech, where I was able to research Ronan’s job and I was introduced to an aviation medical examiner and someone in aviation insurance. Leah’s job, in chocolate products, I was able to research largely online, but I spoke to somebody who has worked in product development kitchens too. I research at almost any point in the creation of a book.

5. What does literary success look like to you?

In commercial terms, top 10 for both ebook and paperback. I achieved #1 for The Christmas Promise ebook but that doesn’t mean I can do it again! In less obvious and simple terms, success is when someone says they’ve enjoyed a book I’ve written. If it kept them awake or if it got them through a bad time - even better!

6. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Get on with it. Make sure you avoid the snakes and climb the ladders.

7. Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

I write under my maiden name and keep my married name for family stuff. I would write under a pseudonym if there was a good reason, but I’m glad not to have had to, so far.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Best-selling author Sue Moorcroft writes contemporary fiction with occasionally unexpected

themes. The Christmas Promise rose to #1 in the Amazon Kindle chart; The Wedding Proposal, Dream a Little Dream and Is this Love? were all nominated for Readers’ Best Romantic Read Awards and Darcie’s Dilemma for Readers’ Best Short Romance. Love & Freedom won the Best Romantic Read Award 2011 and Dream a Little Dream was nominated for a RoNA in 2013. Sue’s a Katie Fforde Bursary Award winner, a past vice chair of the RNA and editor of its two anthologies.

Sue also writes short stories, serials, articles and writing ‘how to’. 

Catch up with Sue below:-

Website // Blog // Facebook // Facebook Author Page // Twitter // Google+:
LinkedIn: // Instagram // Goodreads // Take Five Authors: 

Book Review - Reading Upside Down ~ Jo Platt

TITLE - Reading Upside Down

AUTHOR - Jo Platt

Pages - 253

Buy Link - Amazon UK // Amazon US

SYNOPSIS
Happiness could be just around the corner…

“…perfect setting, perfect dress, perfect flowers, one hundred and eight guests – and one, total and utter, rat.”

Abandoned at the altar, Rosalind Shaw descends into the kind of depression which involves watching too much daytime TV and not bothering to shower as regularly as her mother would like.

Relocating, she begins a new life at antiquarian bookshop “Chapters”. Here Ros finds herself working alongside the intellectual, and intensely private, Andrew; the kind-hearted, sartorially splendid, Georgina; and Joan, a free-spirited, loose cannon of a pensioner, with a penchant for amateur dramatics and outdoor nudity.

But just when life might be starting to improve, Ros’ rather hairy neighbour, Daniel, knocks on her door with a bunch of flowers, a nervous grin and some rather distressing news…

Reading Upside Down is funny, intelligent and fast-paced – a feel-good novel of mistaken assumptions and misread intentions; of feelings hurt and forgiveness.



MY REVIEW

Rosalind seemed to have it all and is just about to get married when she is dumped at the altar. Her Friends and Family then watch as she spirals into a state of depression. She is a mess; she loses pride in her appearance and lets herself go.

One of her Friends then gets her involved in a business. It's an old bookshop and there's a real mixture of people working there. In fact the whole book has a great mix of characters. Ros makes good friends with all those working in the shop. The author makes it feel like they become a little "Family". I love the way the author is very descriptive with her characters as it brings them alive and I could picture each of their faces and believe all their quirky ways.

Then there's Daniel, who lives at the bottom of the garden. Ros meets him initially through an unfortunate "incident" with her guinea pig, and there the strange but awkward friendship begins, with Ros making a fool of herself on more than one occasion.

It really is a comical read. My favourite quote from the book is - "she thanked him with a smile and a look so intense that I wondered if she was attempting to convey the sat-nav co-ordinates of her bedroom telephathically".

I loved the way the author had intertwined the relationships of all the characters, giving it a small town feel where everyone knows everyone. It made it a comforting read and a book that will make you laugh out loud.

This book will certainly lighten any mood that you are in. I recommend it.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Jo Platt Blog
Goodreads

Facebook

Book Review ~ One Christmas in Paris by Mandy Baggot

TITLE - One Christmas in Paris

AUTHOR - Mandy Baggot

PURCHASE - Click here

BOOK BLURB from Goodreads
They say Paris is the City of Love, so bring your je ne sais quoi and don’t forget the mistletoe!

Ava and her best friend Debs arrive in Paris just as the snow starts to fall. The Eiffel Tower glitters gold and the scent of spiced wine is all around, but all Ava can think about is Leo, her no-good, cheating ex.

Debs is on a mission to make Ava smile again, and as they tour the Christmas markets, watch lamplight glittering on the river Seine, and eat their body weight in pain-au-chocolat, Ava remembers there’s more to life than men ... Until they cross paths with handsome, mysterious photographer Julien with his French accent and hazelnut eyes that seem to see right inside her.

Ava can’t ignore the intense chemistry between them, but her fingers have been burned before and she can’t forget it, especially when her ex, Leo, starts texting again. Can Ava really trust Julien – and what exactly is his secret?

Will Ava go home with a broken heart, or will she find true love amongst the cobbled streets of Paris?

Join Ava and Julien in the most romantic city in the world this Christmas, as they discover the importance of being true to themselves, and learn how to follow their hearts.
BOOK REVIEW

For those that have come to know me (I suppose you can also tell by my blog name), I love to travel. My favourite City so far, in Europe, is Paris. So to come across one of my favourite chic lit authors, Mandy Baggot, writing a new book based in Paris, this made me a very happy reader.

When an author writes about a place I love, it brings wonderful memories alive. One Christmas in Paris was no exception thanks to the main characters Ava and Julien.

Ava joins her best friend Debs in Paris. Ava has an over-bearing Mother who seems to want to control Ava's life. She also has an ex, Leo, who cheated on her. As a last minute decision, she jumps on the train to Paris with Debs who has a work assignment there, without telling anyone she was going. Debs wants to cheer her friend up in the beautiful and romantic city, and who knows, Ava may even find love again.

Summing it up in one sentence " I loved this book!". I had read a lot of thrillers lately and was needing a break from mayhem and murder and this was just the book I needed. Paris came alive with the descriptive writing of the sights and sounds of the City. It shows that the author did some great research. I have been there several times and I'm very familiar with the tourist areas of the city. My memories of Paris came flooding back, except this time I was seeing it through Ava's eyes.

This was a beautiful and heart warming story with beautiful characters that kept me up reading until 3.30am! It is the perfect book to curl up with in front of the Christmas tree, with a nice mug of hot chocolate. It's just that kind of novel. A must read and not just for chic lit lovers.

What others are saying about Mandy Baggot's  books.

‘I adored every single second … goes straight to the "My Favourites" shelf and is going to stay there FOR EVER … 10 stars out of 5.’ On My Bookshelf

‘I LOVED THIS BOOK … it's warm, sweet, romantic, likeable, cosy - just the perfect book to curl up on the couch in front of an open fire with. Gorgeous.’ Behind Green Eyes

‘If you love Christmas, and are looking for a book that will fit with absolute perfection, this is the book for you. I really loved it … so many laugh-out-loud moments … will have you laughing at the memory long after you've put the book down.’ Being Anne Reading

‘Leaves you with a lovely warm glow in your heart and a tear in your eye.’ Sincerely Book Angels

‘If I had to pick five Christmas themed novels to give to my friends this year I have to tell you that One Wish in Manhattan would be in that bundle. What an amazing, Christmas magical story this is … I simply adored One Wish in Manhattan.’ Keeper Bookshelf

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Twitter

mandybaggot

Genre

Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary 

Mandy Baggot is an award-winning romantic fiction author, writing hot heroes and emotional reads. She is represented by Kate Nash of The Kate Nash Literary Agency.

In 2012 she won the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK's Festival of Romance and has since scooped Top Ten Reads/Book of the Year places from a number of UK book bloggers.

Traditionally published by US publisher Sapphire Star, Harper Collins' digital first romance imprint, Harper Impulse, and most recently, digital fiction specialists, Bookouture, a great story is never far from her fingertips!

A contributor to writing blogs and short story anthologies, Mandy is also a regular speaker at literary festivals, events and women’s networking groups.

Mandy loves mashed potato, Mandy Baggot is an award-winning romantic fiction author, writing hot heroes and emotional

reads. She is represented by Kate Nash of The Kate Nash Literary Agency.

In 2012 she won the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK's Festival of Romance and has since scooped Top Ten Reads/Book of the Year places from a number of UK book bloggers.

Traditionally published by US publisher Sapphire Star, Harper Collins' digital first romance imprint, Harper Impulse, and most recently, digital fiction specialists, Bookouture, a great story is never far from her fingertips!

A contributor to writing blogs and short story anthologies, Mandy is also a regular speaker at literary festivals, events and women’s networking groups.

Mandy loves mashed potato, white wine, country music, World's Strongest Man, travel and handbags. She has appeared on ITV1's Who Dares Sings and auditioned for The X-Factor.

Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband, two daughters and cats, Kravitz and Springsteen.

Visit her website at http://www.mandybaggot.com/

Guest Blog, Giveaway & Book Review ~ The Christmas Promise - Sue Moorcroft

 

I'd like to welcome Author Sue Moorcroft to my blog today. Sue has her new book out The Christmas Promise, so I invited her to come a long and be a guest on my blog. I've also read and reviewed the book and have shared it below. Her blog post is an interesting one about something that happens just twice a year. Please read on .....................

TITLE - The Christmas Promise

AUTHOR - Sue Moorcroft

PURCHASE LINK - click here

BOOK BLURB from Amazon

‘I love all of Sue Moorcroft’s books!’ KATIE FFORDE

Countdown to Christmas with your new must-have author, as you step into the wonderful world of bespoke hat-maker Ava Bliss…

For Ava Bliss, it’s going to be a Christmas to remember…

On a snowy December evening, Sam Jermyn steps into the life of bespoke hat maker Ava. Sparks fly, and not necessarily the good ones.

Times are tough for Ava – she’s struggling to make ends meet, her ex-boyfriend is a bully, and worst of all, it’s nearly Christmas.

So when Sam commissions Ava to make a hat for someone special, she makes a promise that will change her life. She just doesn’t know it yet…

Curl up with this gorgeous, festive read – the perfect treat for fans of Katie Fforde, Carole Matthews and Trisha Ashley.




MY REVIEW

I'm not a big Christmas lover. I hate the commercialism of it all. I do however love the Family closeness of the day itself (when I'm not working). One thing I do love though is a cosy Christmas novel, and this book was no exception. 

This book centres around Ava Bliss, who I instantly warmed to. She lives with her best friend Izz, who has a successful job, whereas life isn't going too well for Ava. Ava is trying unsuccessfully to have her couture Millinery business taken seriously, and is struggling financially. 

This book has several different aspects to it. There is the modern day crime of Sextortion, which to me was well researched; then there is the subject of terminal illness (several tears shed here); then there is the world of the couture milliner. I learnt a lot about millinery from the book, and again it shows a lot of research must have gone into this book.;

So many different emotions were packed into this book and I couldn't put it down, reading it until the early hours.

I won't say what the Christmas Promise was for fear of spoiling the story, so you'll have to find out for yourself, however it's a promise you'll want to be a part of.






GUEST BLOG by Sue Moorcroft. 

The Changing of the Clocks

Did you have an extra hour in bed on Saturday night? Or add an extra hour to your day on Sunday?In the UK, as in many parts of the world, twice a year ‘our clocks are changed’. Now it will be lighter earlier in the mornings but darkness will come sooner in the evenings. To celebrate this official beginning to wintertime I thought I’d share a few facts:

The UK has just left British Summertime and we’re now on Greenwich Mean Time.

The other name for British Summertime is Daylight Saving Time.

As if to celebrate the onset of Winter along with the clocks, The Christmas Promise entered the Kindle Top 100 on Sunday morning!

We’ll get British Summertime back at 1am on March 26th 2017. (I’m looking forward to this already. I’m a summertime person).

Changing the clocks was first suggested by William Willett in 1907 and he campaigned for his scheme to be implemented until his death in 1915. Germany went first, in April 1916, and we followed suit in May after passing The Summertime Act 1916. WWI was underway, of course, and making use of daylight helped the economy.

The first short story I sold was to The People’s Friend in 1996 and concerned the clocks going forward in spring. It just took one person to forget to change his watch and I had a plot! Luckily, mobile phones that change automatically were not in every pocket at that time.

 

 

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BOOK PROMOTION & AUTHOR GUEST POST - Your Place or Mine by Sophie King - Great Chic Lit

Title - Your Place or Mine

Author - Sophie King

Publisher - Corazon Books

Pages - 460

Buy Link - Amazon UK // Amazon


SYNOPSIS 

Your Place or Mine? From the bestselling author of The School Run, Your Place or Mine? (previously The Supper Club) introduces us to a cast of characters experiencing the ups and downs of families, friendship and love. A group of friends and family meet at each other's houses every month to catch up over supper.

There will be tears, laughter and more than a few surprises along the way. Lucy is making a life for herself with Mike, after the death of her husband. But she's hiding the truth behind Luke's death. And is Mike being completely honest with her about himself? Lucy's sister Jenny is a single career woman juggling disasters in both her work and love life. What will it take to stop her going from one mishap to another? Chrissie and Martin have discovered that a new baby can put a strain on your marriage. But that's not all that risks pushing them further apart. Maggie's husband Antony has left her for a former fashion model, Patsy. But Patsy's life isn't as glamorous as it appears. The secrets from her past are threatening to catch up with her. Your Place or Mine? When family and friends dine together, secrets and lies are on the menu. 

SOPHIE KING YOUR PLACE OR MINE? GUEST POST

DINNER PARTIES GONE WRONG... Am I the only one who loves the idea of having a dinner party but then begins to panic as the date approaches? Suddenly the excitement of having people round to chat, evaporates in the panic of cleaning the house and racing against work deadlines in order to free up an evening. Then there’s the thorny problem of what to make. You are probably a much better cook than I am. Even though I don’t know you, I’m pretty certain of that. You see, I have only six dishes to my name and one of those is take away pizza. Last pancake day, my youngest son looked at the miserable offering I’d just tossed in a saucepan and said: ’Mum, I love you dearly. Buy why does your food always look ill?’ You get the point. Sometimes I’ll make a big mistake and decided to cook something ‘different’. This generally involves several hours of pouring over a cookery book; a great deal of expense in sourcing ingredients which I’d never heard of (nor indeed has my local supermarket) and then serving up a dish which is totally inedible. Mind you, according to dinner party law, the guests have to try and eat it. That’s another thing. 

As a non-meat eater, I’m used to catering for people with my kind of taste. But I do wish that guests would warn you in advance about their own particularly culinary tastes. Of course, sometimes they don’t do, because they’re embarrassed.

When I took my then newish husband to visit an uncle, I didn't tell her that my man was allergic to anchovies. In fact, that’s because I didn't know. (When you get re-married in later life, you find there are quite a lot of things you don’t know about your other half). What had my dear uncle made? Anchovy risotto. My new husband, bless him, manfully fought his way through (even accepting a second helping so as not to offend) and then promptly swelled up like a guinea pig on the drive home. We had to stop at an emergency chemist for some Piriton. Mind you, my own hostess record is not without its blemishes. Every Christmas we have a huge drinks party. I invite everyone I know and forget to keep note of the numbers.

Last year, we had rather too many people. Someone fainted – although I think it’s because she kept her coat on for various reasons – and the ambulance had to be called. Luckily she was all right. ‘Right,’ declared my husband after that. No more drinks parties. I’m hoping he’ll change his mind because to my mind, a big drinks party is much better than an ‘intimate’ affair where six people sit round the table, struggling for conversation because they don’t know each other – and when they do, discover they have nothing in common.

Of course, it’s not like that in my new Sophie King book, YOUR PLACE OR MINE? My couples have so much to say and do that they begin to wish they’d never picked up those knives and forks in the first place. Meanwhile – don’t tell my husband – I’ve just invited six newish friends to dinner. One is a clairvoyant and the other is a die-hard sceptic. I don’t think the evening is going to be dull...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (From her website)

I am the author of the Tales from the Heart, The School Run, Falling in Love Again (Divorce for Beginners), Love is a Secret (Mums@Home), Second Time Lucky, The Supper Club and The Wedding Party.

My books are aimed at teenagers, mums and grans, or anyone else who can identify with a chaotic family life. I have three children, a dog, a cat and a sleepy terrapin – all of whom make me laugh or cry, depending on how I feel.

In between novels, I write short stories and have had hundreds published in magazines such as Woman’s Weeklyand My Weekly. I also gives regular talks/workshops at bookshops and literary festivals including Winchester and Guildford. Until my recent move to Devon, I tutored at Oxford University and West Herts College. For three years, I was writer in residence at HMP Grendon, a high-security male prison. I have also appeared several times on breakfast television and Woman’s Hour, including a Christmas programme on rivalry in the kitchen!

I have a pen name to distinguish my novels from my journalism. As Jane Bidder, I have written for The Times,The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Express, The Daily Mail, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, My Weekly, Good Housekeeping and many other national publications.

I have interviewed several big celebrities including my childhood hero David Essex, Michael Palin, Penny Vincenzi, Deborah Moggach, Julie Walters, Nigel Havers, Carolyn Quentin, Lord Lichfield, Martina Cole, Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph, Barbara Taylor Bradford and countless others.

In 2005, I won the Elizabeth Goudge Short Story Trophy and was a runner up in the Harry Bowling Prize. I’m a member of the Romantic Novelists Association; Women in Journalism; the Society of Women Writers and Journalists and the National Union of Journalists.

Connect with Sophie on her website - Click here and learn all about her other books, most of which I've read and can thoroughly recommend.

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY -- Bring Me Sunshine - Janet Gover (Choc Lit publishing)

TITLE - Bring Me Sunshine

AUTHOR - Janet Gover

PUBLISHER - Choc Lit Publishing

BUY LINK - Click here

BOOK BLURB

Sometimes, you’ve just got to take the plunge …
When marine biologist, Jenny Payne, agrees to spend Christmas working on the Cape Adare cruise ship to escape a disastrous love affair, she envisions a few weeks of sunny climes, cocktails and bronzed men …
What she gets is an Antarctic expedition, extreme weather, and a couple of close shaves with death. And then there’s her fellow passengers; Vera, the eccentric, elderly crime writer and Lian, a young runaway in pursuit of forbidden love …

There’s also Kit Walker; the mysterious and handsome man who is renting the most luxurious cabin on the ship, but who nobody ever sees.
As the expedition progresses, Jenny finds herself becoming increasingly obsessed with the enigmatic Kit and the secrets he hides. Will she crack the code before the return journey or is she bound for another disappointment?


MY REVIEW

Have you ever wanted to get away from it all and clear your head? I know I have, and that is just what Jenny wanted to do to escape Christmas and leave all her troubles behind her. She took a job on a cruise ship, looking forward to some Tropical Sunshine. She just forgot to ask where the cruise was going to and it wasn't somewhere tropical. I won't say more as I don't want to release any spoilers.

I enjoyed the excitement this book brought. I love anything with a travel element in it, and this book was no exception. I have now added another destination to my bucket list, which you may think quite a bizarre choice when you read the book.

This book had some strong and interesting characters in it; including women of all ages and backgrounds. There was also a lot of content considering it was a novella.

My only criticism of this book was that I didn't want it to end. I felt the story could have kept going and it just ended a bit too abruptly with some story lines that could have been finished. That is the only reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5.

Currently on offer from the publisher - Great value. Click link above.

LINKS -

Choc Lit publishing - Click here
Author web page - Click here
Author Facebook - Click here

Read about Janet Gover's new book coming soon "Flight to Corah Creek" - Available for pre-order now.

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VBT - Finding a Man For Sylvia by Margaret Lesh

Finding A Man For Sylvia

by Margaret Lesh

Contemporary Romantic Comedy/Chick Lit

Published by Musa Publishing

Released on November 23, 2012

Heat Level: Sweet/Sensual

Word Count: 60,000

Note: While this title contains elements of BDSM and light bondage as one of the characters is a dominatrix, please note that there are no graphic sex scenes, only comedic references.

Blurb

A well-intentioned but clueless romantic is determined to find love for her lonely neighbor over her exasperated husband’s objections.

Julia Hawthorne-Florez has the best of intentions, and everyone knows what the road to Hell is paved with. Her husband Javier accuses her of playing God with people’s lives, but Julia is simply a fool for love. (Or maybe just a fool?)

When lonely Sylvia moves in across the street, Julia is determined to find her match. Of course, there are obstacles. Javier, for one, who’s forbidden any further matchmaking attempts on his well-intentioned wife’s part. And there’s the little matter of Sylvia being in love with a man who’s taken a vow of celibacy.

Julia schemes; the hamster wheel in her head spins furiously. Handsome Ted is Julia’s first choice. Except shy Ted happens to be interested in Julia’s best friend, certified dominatrix Lisa. And so it goes. Julia spins her web; Javier laughs at her. But Julia always gets the last laugh in this Latin-infused contemporary romantic comedy.

Available at…

Musa Publishing: http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=449#.UN5mDG8YuMg

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Man-For-Sylvia-ebook/dp/B00ABUTN2K/

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-findingamanforsylvia-1007771-149.html

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finding-a-man-for-sylvia-margaret-lesh/1113842587

BookStrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/finding-a-man-for-sylvia

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/258621

Finding a Man for Sylvia

by Margaret Lesh

EXCERPT

Ted stood awkwardly before me, lamenting his poor dumb fat kitty, and I felt a sudden twinge of inspiration. What could be more perfect and beautiful than bringing two shadow people together? It was the exact right thing to do. Ted and Sylvia were both background players. Who could possibly be a better match for my love-worn friend? I was practically picking out their china pattern, wondering what their children would look like. Good looking, of course; very shy.

“So, Ted, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?” I said, making conversation, trying to draw him out a little.

He began to fumble and stammer, “Oh, Thanksgiving. Um, wow. I hadn’t—I—uh…”

Only Ted. He hadn’t a clue, and it was the next day.

“We’re eating at three. Join us. Please. I insist.”

“Oh, uh, my mother —”

“Is she trying to set you up again?” I said with a laugh, teasing him just a little. His parents lived back home in Salt Lake City, and it was just like Bitsy to have arranged a space for him at some eligible young lady’s parents’ dinner table for the holiday.

He was looking down at his shoes; I leaned over from my seat at the reception desk where I was temporarily filling in and looked down at them too. They were brown brogue oxfords, the type serious professionals and college professors wear. His coordinated blue-and-green argyle socks were hot, in an “I’m in love with my teacher” sort of way.

“Really, I insist. No one should be alone on Thanksgiving.”

I immediately regretted saying that. Nobody wants to feel like they’re unloved and unpopular. No one wants to feel like a lonely loser. I hoped he didn’t feel that way from my offhand remark, but he looked at me, right in my eyes, and nodded.

“That sounds nice. I’ll be there.”

“Fabulous.”

He took a few steps and then stopped, turned and asked, “Red or white wine?”

“Both,” I answered, surprising him. I was only half joking.

As he walked back to his cubicle, I had to stop myself from rubbing my hands together like Snidely Whiplash—who I didn’t resemble in this context at all. I was using my powers for good. This time.

* * * * * * * * * *

About the Author

California girl Margaret Lesh lives with her husband Steve and son Andrew in a quiet suburb near Los Angeles. Co-creator of StoryRhyme.com, she writes middle grade, young adult, and women’s fiction. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about baked goods, especially donuts, far too often. She believes tacos are magic. 

Connect with Margaret Lesh

Website: http://www.margaretlesh.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargaretLesh

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15992104-normalish

Blog: http://www.storyrhyme.com/jcsblog/

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VBT Schedule:

Jan 21: Aspired Writer (Review)
Jan 21: Veiled Secrets Reviews
Jan 22: Deal Sharing Aunt (Review)
Jan 22: My Devotional Thoughts
Jan 23: Bookalicious Traveladdict
Jan 23: Janna Shay's Fair Play
Jan 23: She Who Blogs Behind the Rows
Jan 24: Andi's Book Reviews (Review)
Jan 24: Coffee Beans & Love Scenes
Jan 24: Jesse Recommends
Jan 25: A Chick Who Reads (Review)
Jan 25: Books Books and More Books
Jan 25: Danita Minnis
Jan 25: Harlie Williams, Writer (Review)
Jan 25: Storm Goddess Book Reviews & More (Review)