Monday 17 December 2018

25 days Til Christmas by Poppy Alexander

25 Days Til Christmas 
by
Poppy Alexander

I am so excited to bring you my review of this festive read as part of the blog tour for this amazing read from Poppy Alexander. Thank you to Orion Publishing for my copy of this book.  I hope you enjoy my review. 


Book Description
Christmas is a time to get together... 
Kate Thompson used to love Christmas. But that was before her husband went away with the army and didn't come home. Now she can hardly stand the festive season.
But Kate knows there is more to life than this, and her son Jack needs a Christmas to remember. What she needs is a Christmas miracle, and if there isn't one on its way, she'll just have to make her own.
So begins Kate's advent countdown to the best Christmas ever. She has it all planned out, but you can't plan for the unexpected, and when her life starts to unravel can her friends and the community around her help her save Christmas for all of them...?
Curl up and countdown to Christmas with a heart-warming festive romance, perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Debbie Johnson, and Holly Martin.

My Review
This is a heart warming, uplifting and very enjoyable Christmas read that will stay with you long after you have read the last page. 
Kate is struggling with dealing with life as a single parent after the death of her husband who went away with the army and she never saw him again. She is low on money, low on morale and in desperate need of a Christmas miracle to help her get through the festive season and make it enjoyable for her son Jack.  With the help of her good friend, Seema and her stationary collection they are soon planning a countdown to Christmas one that will make Kate step out of her comfort zone and start to live her life again making plenty of new memories with Jack. 
As the days progress nearer to Christmas and Kate and Jack are having fun together, however the worry of Kate not having enough money and the threat of her job not being secure is never too far from Kate's mind. As the days progress Kate has many challenges thrown at her and she wonders how she can manage all that is coning her way, thank goodness for her good friends who help her along the way and help Kate keep smiling.  
I really enjoyed reading about Kate and I loved how no matter what life threw at her she kept on doing the best she could for Jack who is her world. I felt she was a very strong character and displayed a great deal of strength even if she didn't feel that strong. 
Daniel is dealing with the death of his wife, Zoe and he is not looking forward to his first Christmas without her. To keep himself busy and not give him too much time on his own Daniel volunteers on a crisis helpline and this makes him feel like he is giving something back to society. Once you get to know more about Daniel you realise that he is the one that needs help and friendship. The two stories are intertwined so well within the book as Daniel knows Kate as Christmas tree girl and they both flow very well together. 
I really enjoyed this festive story and I'm sure you will love it too. 

This book was published on !st November 2018 and is available on kindle published by Orion.


About the Author
Poppy Alexander wrote her first book when she was five. There was a long gap in her writing career while she was at school, and after studying classical music at university, she decided the world of music was better off without her and took up public relations, campaigning, political lobbying and a bit of journalism instead. She takes an anthropological interest in family, friends and life in her West Sussex village (think, The Archers crossed with Twin Peaks) where she lives with her husband, children and various other pets. Poppy also writes as Rosie Howard and Sarah Waights.


Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and I hope you enjoyed my review. 

Saturday 15 December 2018

Christmas at the Chocolate Pot Cafe by Jessica Redland

Christmas at the Chocolate Pot Cafe
by
Jessica Redland


So today I am excited to bring you my review for this festive read from Jessica Redland. Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to take part. I hope you enjoy reading my review. 

Book Description
A few minutes of courage might change your life...
Emotionally, Tara Porter finds the festive period a challenge. Christmas Day is a reminder of the family she lost, and New Year’s Eve holds bitter memories of the biggest mistake of her life: marrying Garth Tewkesbury. Shunning invitations to celebrate, she seeks refuge in her flat with only her giant house bunny, Hercules, for company.
Professionally, though, it’s the best time of year. Tara’s thriving café, The Chocolate Pot, is always packed. With the café hosting a wedding and engagement party, it’s shaping up to be the café’s best Christmas ever.
When former nemesis, Jed Ferguson, threatens the future of The Chocolate Pot, Tara prepares for a fight. The café is everything to her and she’s not going to let anyone or anything jeopardise that.
Tara badly misjudged ex-husband Garth and, since then, has refused to let anyone in. After all, if you don’t let them in, they can’t hurt you. But has she misjudged Jed too? Is it possible that he’s not the arrogant, deceitful man from whom she bought the café 14 years earlier? Can she find the courage to find out for sure?


My Review
This is a brilliant, heart-warming read that I loved from start to finish. it was so difficult to put down and I read it in one sitting.
Tara has had a very hard and difficult past that she has kept secret for such a long time however the Christmas season seems to be the time former to start letting people into what happened in her past and she starts sharing her life story with her best friend Carly.
As she starts to reveal parts of her past you being to realise why she is the way she is and its great to see more of her character develop.
The setting of this book follows on from the the authors previous books set in Whitsborough Bay, however this book can be read as standalone read.
This is a great book to read at Christmas however it isn't your typical festive story which can make a nice change at this time of year.  I loved reading this book and getting to know all of the characters from Whitsborough Bay and I loved as I have not read any of the previous books that are set there, however I will be adding them to my kindle library very soon. 



Purchase Links







Author Bio


Jessica had never considered writing as a career until a former manager kept telling her that her business reports read more like stories and she should write a book. She loved writing but had no plot ideas. Then something happened to her that prompted the premise for her debut novel,Searching for Steven. She put fingers to keyboard and soon realised she had a trilogy and a novella.
She lives on the stunning North Yorkshire Coast — the inspiration for the settings in her books — with her husband, daughter, cat, Sprocker Spaniel, and an ever-growing collection of collectible teddy bears. Although if the dog has her way, the collection will be reduced to a pile of stuffing and chewed limbs!
Her passion for North Yorkshire is shared by fellow-writer and great friend, Sharon Booth and, together, they are the Yorkshire Rose Writers.
Jessica tries to balance her time — often unsuccessfully — between being an HR tutor, trying to re- learn how to play the piano, studying towards a Masters in Creative Writing, and writing itself. Who needs sleep?


Social Media


Website and blog www.jessicaredland.com


Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. I hope you enjoyed my review. 

Thursday 13 December 2018

I'm Glad I Found You this Christmas by C P Ward

I'm Glad I Found You This Christmas
by
C P Ward


Today I am excited to be part of this mini blog blitz and bring you my review of this feel good festive read from C.P.Ward.  Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to take part. I hope you enjoy my review. 


Book Description
I'm glad I found you this Christmas - an uplifting sweet romance set against the magical backdrop of Christmas.
Maggie Coates is frustrated. Her longterm boyfriend, Dirk, recently moved to London to take a job she fears puts him out of her league. Despite the assurances of her best friend Renee, Maggie is convinced Dirk is slowly drifting away. All Maggie wants is to get married and settle down, but maybe Dirk has other ideas.
Convinced by Renee to make one last throw of the dice, Maggie books a romantic holiday for two in the quaint Scottish village of Hollydell. But will Dirk show up?
And if he doesn't, what if there is a perfect man waiting for her among the Christmas magic of Hollydell's snow-laden streets? What if Henry, the humble reindeer farmer with the kind smile, turns out to be the man of Maggie's dreams?
I'm glad I found you this Christmas is a glowing sweet romance which will leave you feeling warm inside and buzzing with Christmas spirit.


My Review
I adored this book from start to finish and I couldn't put it down. The setting for the book of in the small village of Hollydell in Scotland sounds like the perfect setting for Christmas  and made me want to jump on a train and head for the snow! 
Maggie decides to try and surprise her boyfriend Dirk with the perfect Christmas getaway. They have been having a few problems with their relationship since Dirk's job promotion has seen him move from Cambridge to London. Maggie is hoping the holiday will put their relationship back on track and maybe even push Dirk into proposing to her. Maggie books the holiday not knowing what to expect from the resort as she is unable to find many pictures of where she is heading, this makes her nervous about going and without her friend Renee pushing her then she wouldn't have gone. 
Once Maggie arrives in Hollydell she immediately falls under the spell of Hollydell especially as it is covered in snow. Once settled into the area it isn't long before Maggie gets to know the residents of Hollydell and is soon being drawn into all of the activities that the village has to offer. Maggie is desperate for Dirk to join her but she is really having doubts about him joining her. will Maggie get the happily ever after she is longing for? 
Henry runs a reindeer farm in Hollydell along with many other jobs he has. will he be the one to help Maggie? 
I really liked the character of Maggie, she is very warm and kind. I think being in the relationship with Dirk has really knocked her confidence and now she really needs to get it back.
There are a variety of supporting characters within the book and they all form part of the story and help Maggie on her way. 
This book is written in such a way that really draws you in from the very beginning and has you sad that you have reached the last page. The book is very descriptive and the scenes are all set so well.
This is a fantastic read that I really enjoyed and I look forward to reading more from C.P. Ward. 




 Purchase Links





About the Author


CP Ward is a writer from the UK who currently lives and works in Japan. This is his first Christmas book.


Giveaway


Giveaway – Win 10 x e-copies for I’m Glad I Found You This Christmas (Open Internationally
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.




Thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope you enjoyed it. 

Sunday 9 December 2018

All Wrapped Up In You by Sun Chara

All Wrapped Up In You
by
Sun Chara


Today I am the blog tour for this festive Novella from Sun Chara. Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to take part. I hope you enjoy my review. 

Book Description
Their marriage hangs in the balance, but on this wind battered Christmas Eve, a miracle is born...
When Ellie hooked up with world renowned neurosurgeon, Peter Medeci, aka 'Prince Charming’, she thought her dreams had come true. But the demands of being the model wife to his career triggers a mutiny within her and she decides to ditch the 'royal' life until he sees her as more than his bedroom playmate.

My Review
This is a brilliant festive novella that you can devour in one sitting. Ellie and her hard working and successful husband Peter are having huge marriage problems as their relationship seems to be falling apart. It is Christmas and Ellie feels like she needs to get away from Peter as she's fed up with the life that has been created for her. Deciding to leave she heads off and finds herself penniless and in need of rescuing. Will Peter be the one to bring her back?
This is a story of the importance of communication between two people as without that things can easily fall apart. It also is a story of being careful what you wish for and that the grass isn't always greener. 
I really enjoyed this latest novella from Sun Chara as I enjoy the style she writes in. Her books are always a treat to read and I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next. 




Purchase Link


About The Author


Sun Chara, an Amazon top 100 bestseller, writes sexy, hip ‘n fun contemporary romance, and romantic comedies w/a divine twist for HarperImpulse. She makes her home in southern California, and has appeared on stage/film to rave reviews in How the Other Half Loves, General Hospital, and McGee and Me. She has a Masters Degree in Education and membership in SAG/AFTRA and Romance Writers of America. Sipping Frappuccinos topped with whipped cream/sprinkles, and dancing on the beach make everyday a celebration!


Social Media




Giveaway


Giveaway – Win a $20 Amazon Gift card and an e-copy of All Wrapped Up In You (Open Internationally)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the
Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all
valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received
within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all
entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is
used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of
the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for
fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for
despatch or delivery of the prize.




Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. I hope you enjoyed my review. 










Saturday 8 December 2018

Deck the Halles by Stephanie Dagg


 Deck the Halles
by
Stephanie Dagg




Today I am excited to be part of the blog tour for this seasonal treat from Stephanie Dagg. 
Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to take part. I hope you enjoy my review. 

Book Description
It’s next Christmas at the little French llama farm.
Last Christmas infamous Australian author Nick bought the farm, that was meant to be furnished and without llamas. The reverse proved to be the case. Noelle had been sent to pet sit the llamas until his arrival. After a decidedly frosty start, Nick and Noelle’s relationship warmed up rapidly and they’re now happily living together, with an ever growing assortment of animals.
They’re looking forward to a quiet, romantic Christmas together but at the last moment Noelle is called on to find a venue for the annual national llama show. The local agricultural halles are free so she books them, thinking that’s all she’ll have to do to help. She couldn’t be more wrong! On top of that, various relatives start turning up on her doorstep unexpectedly, as the result of assorted crises. The farmhouse is about to burst at the seams. Add in a few other events, such as playing the part of a pixie at a Christmas fête, organising Nick’s book launch and training a non-cooperative llama for the agility class in the show, and Noelle is pushed ever closer to the end of her tether. Can she hold it together and stay as calm as a llama? Or will she be the next member of her family to make a bolt for pastures new?
This festive, feel-good and fun novel is the sequel to ‘Fa-La-Llama-La: Christmas at the Little French Llama Farm’ but can be read as a standalone.



My review
This is brilliant, quirky and fun read and I loved it from start to finish. This is a sequel to Fa-La-Llama-La although it can be read as a standalone read. 
Nick and Noelle are living in France after having bought a house the year before. They have made lots of plans for their Christmas together just them but it seems everyone else has other plans for them. This is also without having to plan the annual Llama Show after the job was given to Noelle to plan after a disaster struck the planned venue,  Little does she realise just how much she is going to be involved with it. With deciding to enter into the Llama show Noelle is desperately trying to sort out two of the Llamas to enter into the competition in two different classes, A fancy dress class, and a agility class, this proved to be difficult especially with a Llama that doesn't like having anything on its back! 
There are many supporting characters in this book that all add little something, however the main focus of this book is Noelle and all of the Llama drama that she is experiencing. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments as you read through the book but you do also feel for Noelle at times. 
this is a fun and quirky festive read that will surprise you especially with the information on Llamas! I feel I know so much more about Llamas now especially about the shows as I didn't even know they existed! 
This is the second book I have read by Stephanie Dagg and I am looking forward to seeing what adventures she writes about next. 



Purchase Links

About the Author

I'm an English expat living in France, having moved here with my family in 2006 after fourteen years as an expat in Ireland. I now consider myself a European rather than 'belonging' to any particular country. The last ten years have been interesting, to put it mildly. Taking on seventy-five acres with three lakes, two hovels and one cathedral-sized barn, not to mention an ever increasing menagerie, makes for exciting times. The current array of animals includes alpacas, llamas, huarizos (alpaca- llama crossbreds, unintended in our case and all of them thanks to one very determined alpaca male), sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, geese, chickens and turkeys, not forgetting our pets of dogs, cats, zebra finches, budgies , canaries, lovebirds and Chinese quail. Before we came to France all we had was a dog and two chickens, so it's been a steep learning curve. I recount these experiences in my book Heads Above Water: Staying Afloat in France and the sequel to that, Total ImmersionTen Years in France. I also blog regularly at www.bloginfrance.com.
I'm married to Chris and we have three bilingual TCKs (third culture kids) who are resilient and resourceful and generally wonderful.
I'm a traditionally-published author of many children's books, and am now self-publishing too. I have worked part-time as a freelance editor for thirty years after starting out as a desk editor for Hodder
& Stoughton. Find me at www.editing.zone. The rest of the time I'm running carp fishing lakes with Chris and inevitably cleaning up some or other animal's poop.


Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/StephanieDaggBooks/

www.bloginfrance.com





Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and I hope you enjoyed my review. 

Friday 7 December 2018

The Growing Pains of Jennifer Ebert Aged 19 going on 91 by David M. Barnett

The Growing Pains of Jennifer Ebert
aged 19 going on 91
by
David M. Barnett

 I am so excited to be bringing you my review for this brilliant read by David M.Barnett as part of the 12 days of Christmas Blog Tour for Trapeze. Thank you to Tracy Fenton for inviting me to take part and I hope you enjoy my review. 

Book Description
Nineteen-year old Jennifer is regretting her hasty move into Sunset Promenade, an unusual retirement home taking in students to save on money. Despite their differences in age, Jennifer and the older residents thrive and embark on a series of new adventures. But when Sunset Promenade is threatened with closure, cracks begin to show and this quirky group of friends must work together to save their home. 

The growing pains of Jennifer Ebert aged 19 going on 91
is a funny, warm and uplifting novel about the importance of friendship, the value of community, and how it's never too late to have the time of your life....




My Review
This was a brilliant, touching and heartwarming read that had me hooked from the first page and made me very reluctant to put it down. 
The main character of the Book, as the title suggests is Jennifer Ebert she is a student that has changed university and is really looking to reinvent herself. She decides that while her student accommodation is being sorted out she will stay in the Sunset Promenade retirement home. It is here that she meets a wide range of quirky and funny group people, young and old, who she will build some new relationships with. 
She is going to be sharing her new home with three other students all of which come from different backgrounds and under other circumstances would have not have formed the relationships they have. 
There are some very humorous parts to this story as all of the residents get to know each other and have some adventures together. there is also some sadness too as you see some of the prejudices that are still apparent between the two generations. 
I loved getting to know all of the different characters within this book and as you read through you really get an insight into each their lives and you get to see what has happened in their pasts. 
 I enjoyed the mystery within the book and all the twists and turns have you gripped as you turn the pages. 
This book is written in such a way that will have you wanting more long after you have finished reading it. David M. Barnett has a way of drawing you in and keeping you there until the very last page. 
This was the first book I have read by David M. Barnett but I can assure you that it will not be the last. 

I would like to thank Tracy Fenton for inviting me to take part in the 12 days of Christmas blog tour for Trapeze publishing. 



don't forget to check out these other reviews and blog visits for the 12 days of Christmas tour. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my review I hope you enjoyed it. 

Thursday 6 December 2018

Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin by Helen.J Rolfe

Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin
by 
Helen.J. Rolfe



Today I am kicking of the Blog tour on publication day for this fantastic Christmas read from Helen.J Rolfe. Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to take part and I hope you enjoy reading my review. 

Book Description
Do you believe in Christmas Miracles?
Holly is looking for a change and even though not everyone agrees with her career choices, she’s determined there’s more to this life than the long hours she works as an editor in New York City. What she doesn’t expect is to meet Mitch, a recluse who’s hiding more than she realises.
Mitch does all he can to avoid human contact, spending his days in the little log cabin out in the woods behind Inglenook Falls where he owns a Christmas tree farm, so when Holly falls into his life, he’s not sure how to react. All he knows is that something needs to change if he ever wants to get his life back on track.
Along with friends Cleo and Darcy, Holly is determined to bring joy back to Mitch’s life, but will he appreciate their interference? And when a business proposition throws everything up in the air, will it do more harm than good and ruin lives forever?
Both Holly and Mitch must learn that on the surface people aren’t always what they seem...but if you dig a little deeper, they can take you by surprise.
Curl up this Christmas for plenty of snowflakes, roaring log fires, a marriage proposal, unlikely friendships and second chances as we return to the much-loved characters in the New York Ever After series.


My Review
This is the perfect read to snuggle up and enjoy with a hot chocolate. The setting goes between the hustle and bustle of New York City and the quiet picturesque town of Inglenook Falls and is set over the festive season. 
Holly having just left her well paid job has made the brave decision to become freelance and work for herself. This is a big step for Holly but one that she is determined to succeed with and make her friends and family proud.  Pierre is Holly's high flying and successful boyfriend who has just opened up a new hotel within Inglenook Falls and is keen for Holly to join his company. This is something that Holly is not happy to do as she feels that she is not getting the support that she needs from him and she feels that he isn't taking her job seriously and when he shows a ruthless side this further affects their relationship. 
Mitch is a very mysterious and reclusive character that lives in a log cabin in the wood of Inglenook Falls. He isn't keen to talk to others and very much keeps himself to himself. He runs a Christmas tree farm from the land surrounding the cabin, that he took over after the death of his father. 
I loved the character of Holly as she fights for what she wants and sticks up for what she thinks is right. She isn't afraid of hard work and I enjoyed learning more about her past and how she became friends with those around her. 
Mitch is a very different character and one who is hard to get to know as he is not happy to share any information about himself. However, once you read on in the story and once you see him establish a relationship with Holly he starts to let his guard down and share his past with her. Once he starts to open up you realise why he has become the way he is and why he also wants to change his ways. 
This book has a wide range of supporting characters that all play a part in supporting and helping Holly and Mitch get on in their lives. 
This is the 4th instalment within the New York Ever After series but it can be read as a standalone. This was the first book have read in the series but I will be adding more to my kindle library. 




Purchase Links 





Author Bio


Helen J Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and community. Characters often face challenges and must fight to overcome them, but above all, Helen's stories always have a happy ending.
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries around the world. So far, locations have included Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Connecticut, Bath and the Cotswolds.

Social Media







Thank you for taking the time to read my blog I hope you enjoyed reading my review. 




Tuesday 4 December 2018

Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat by Angela Britnell

Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
by
Angela Britnell





Today I am taking part in the blog blitz for this brilliant seasonal read from Angela Britnell. Thank you to Rachel's Random resources for inviting me to take part. I hope you all enjoy reading my review. 


Book Description
                            What if you had nowhere to call home for Christmas?
When Fee Winter books a winter break at the remote Black Cherry Retreat in the small town of Pine Ridge, Tennessee, it’s with the idea that the peace and quiet will help her recuperate from her hectic life as a photographer. But what she didn’t bank on was meeting Tom Chambers and his huge, interfering yet lovable family. With them, could Fee finally experience the warmth and support that’s been missing from her own life – and maybe even find a place to call home in time for Christmas?

Book Review
This is the latest release from Angela Britnell and what a treat it is! I loved it from start to finish and I struggled to put it down. Fee is looking for peace and quiet after a very hectic and traumatic event taking over her life, so she books herself into the rather remote Black Cherry Retreat. This is her chance to get over her troubles and put the events from her past to rest. This is easier said than done. 
Tom is the owner of the Black Cherry Retreat who comes from a huge and caring family and sees that Fee is struggling with her life and wants to help her. There is a spark of romance between the two of them from their very first meeting although neither of them want to admit their feelings or that there is an attraction there, especially as they are both such different people and come from very different backgrounds. neither of them believe it could work. 
With the help of Tom's family and some events that are out of their control then maybe Fee could just have found the family that was really lacking in her life.
The setting for this book sounds idilic and the perfect place to relax and get away from it all.  Although there is Christmas in the title the book is more set around Halloween and Thanksgiving so doesn't have to be just kept as a Festive read. 
This is not the first book I have red by Angela Britnell and it will not be the last as I'm really looking forward to see where her next book will take us. 


Purchase Links




Author Bio

Angela grew up in Cornwall, England and returns frequently from her new home in Nashville, Tennessee. A lifelong love of reading turned into a passion for writing contemporary romance and her novels are usually set in the many places she's visited or lived on her extensive travels. After more than three decades of marriage to her American husband she's a huge fan of transatlantic romance and always makes sure her characters get their own happy-ever-after. Over the last twelve years she’s been multi-published and sold over 25 novels. She also writes short stories for women’s magazines. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association, the Romance Writers of America and the Music City Romance Writers.

Social Media





Thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope you enjoyed reading it. 






Summer at Blue Sands Cove by CP Ward

Today is my stop on the Blog Tour for this uplifting summer release from CP Ward. Thank you to Rachel's  Random Resources for inviting m...