Christmas Q&A with Caroline Roberts!

I'm delighted to welcome Caroline Roberts to the blog today for a Q&A session. 

Hello Kate, thanks so much for featuring me and The Cosy Christmas Teashop on your blog!

The Cosy Christmas Teashop is a follow up to your previous novel The Cosy Teashop in the Castle. Did the fact that it's a sequel make a difference to your writing process? How long did it take to write?

In a way, it was easier to write as I already had the main characters and setting in mind. But I also wanted to freshen it all up, so I added some new characters and situations. I had fun with it, as well as exploring the more difficult times they had to face. I felt I knew everyone so well by the end, like the castle team had really become firm friends.

It took me four months to write The Cosy Christmas Teashop. A bit of a miracle as the first book took over a year. But I had a deadline to meet, so got my head down and kept going. It was hard work, but also fun.

2) This is your first festive novel. Do you envisage writing another in the future?

Yes, I enjoyed writing about Christmas and all the lovely festive build up to that – Christmas markets, craft fairs, snow, tinsel, Christmas trees, Christmas cupcakes, mince pies and more. I’d happily write another Christmas-themed novel. In fact, I might be working on that right now!

3) What are your favourite Christmassy reads?

I loved Debbie Johnson’s romantic comedy “Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Jumper”.  It was a warm and funny story, unique and rather sexy.

And, on Christmas Eve, I always used to read to my children “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in a fabulous pop-up version, and we also loved The Jolly Christmas Postman.

4) What are your own plans for Christmas? Do you have any special family traditions?

I love the tradition of Christmas stockings, hanging them up by the fire, and then them “magically” being filled – I still have them for my grown-up children even now! And we always have a real tree, it looks so pretty all decorated and twinkly, and you get that gorgeous smell of pine.

On Christmas day, we have a glass of champagne around ten am (mid-parcel opening) with cheese and ham croissants, a fresh fruit platter, or chocolate if you fancy, after all, anything goes - it’s Christmas! Then there’s the traditional Turkey Roast. I’m chef as I enjoy cooking, though I have to be well prepared as after a couple of champagnes and a G&T, it can all get a bit out of sync!

For me, Christmas is all about family and friends and having a lovely, sociable time with some fabulous food and drink.

5) What can your readers look forward to next?

I have a summer book coming out around April/May time. A gorgeous and poignant love story  about hurt and healing and making the most of those simple special moments in life. It’s set on beautiful Bamburgh beach in my home county of Northumberland (one of my favourite places to walk the dog). In fact, the family might have a wander down on the beach there on Boxing Day!

And by this time next year, there may well be another Cosy Christmas novel! Watch this space…

Have a really lovely Christmas everyone!

The Cosy Christmas Tea Shop is out now, published by Harper Impulse.

#PleaseRetweet - Emily Benet

The Blurb
Social media whizz kid, May Sparks has landed her dream job. Well, not quite, but the salary is great and all May has to do is handle the online profiles of C – list celebrities who have the tendency to say inappropriate things. Easy, right? #wrong

May’s clients include an ex big brother star (who she's definitely not going to sleep with #neversaynever), a disgraced TV presenter (who wants May to sort out his marriage as well as his Twitter account), and a woman who once flashed her boobs on X-factor. They're all relying on her to turn them into stars. But they're not going to make her job easy.

Sucked in to her virtual world, May loses grip on her real life. Friendships suffer and romance looks increasingly unlikely. If she doesn't log off soon, will there be any one real left?

The Review
This was such a fun read!  Emily Benet has capitalised on Twitter's world domination and centred #PleaseRetweet around May Sparks, a snappy media-savvy young woman whose job it is to manage the Twitter accounts of washed up celebrities who need all the help they can get to stay in the public eye.

I loved the zippy dialogue, the sharp wit and the colourful characters, and although poor May was working 24/7 to keep her clients out of mischief I must admit I was crying out for the celebrities to make more faux pas because they were so entertaining!  Authors, reality stars, boyband members with unpronounceable names...they all needed May's guidance to keep in touch with both technology and their fans.

This contemporary novel is exceptionally well written and will act as a sharp warning to anyone who finds themselves spending more time online than in the outside world.  I loved it!

#PleaseRetweet is out now in ebook and paperback format, published by Harper Impulse.

With thanks to the publisher who provided me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Recently I've Read...A Whole Lot of Romance

I've read some fantastic romance lately!  Here are the books that have set my heart aflutter - perfect love stories for long summer nights.

 

The One with the Engagement Party - Erin Lawless

 

 

Nora and Harry have just got engaged and so of course, it's time to celebrate! With their friends by their side they can start planning for the big day, but they each have their own hurdles to overcome. Perfect summer reading which left me gagging for more. Heartwarming and humorous, The One with the Engagement Party is Erin Lawless at her best.

The Sunshine and Biscotti Club - Jenny Oliver

 

 

Jenny Oliver whisked me away to the sun with this story of a group of friends helping to set up a baking holiday resort. As ever Oliver's descriptions of the food - aroma, taste, texture - are fantastic. Each character grows as the story progresses which makes this a satisfying romantic read. The only reason I didn't give this 5* is that it took me a long time to differentiate between the characters, especially the males, which meant I was referring back to make sure I wasn't getting muddled. All in all, a delightful summer read.

The Little Bookshop on the Seine - Rebecca Raisin

 

 

I loved this book! A story of self discovery and long distance romance set in a Paris bookshop. Rebecca writes setting and description beautifully - and creates characters that are easy to relate to through common themes of friendship, love and trust. A comforting read which I quickly became engrossed in - Rebecca Raisin has come up trumps again!  

 

Give them a try - they're the perfect blend of uplifting fun and love-riddled angst.  They're all available NOW.                 

The Girl Who Lied - Sue Fortin BLOG TOUR

Sue Fortin is joining me today to talk about her love of mysteries as part of the blog tour for her new release The Girl Who Lied.  Follow the tour to find out more about both Sue and the novel! 

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My love of any sort of story with a mystery to it has always been a prominent factor when choosing a book to read, a TV programme to watch or a film to see at the cinema. I have to confess to being an adventure junkie, thrill seeker, code breaker, mystery solver, in fact, anything high-octane with suspense, but all from the safety of my armchair. In particular, is my love for any sort of story with a mystery to be solved.

I blame Enid Blyton for this.

I’ve always enjoyed reading and, like many people my age, I started with Enid Blyton, ‘The Mystery of …’ series being my favourite. I then went onto discover, Agatha Christie, Dick Francis, Minette Walters, Sue Grafton, James Patterson and so on. You can see the pattern.

This love of the mystery extended out into TV shows from gentle Murder She Wrote, Columbo, screen adaptations of Agatha Christie novels to Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, NYPD Blue, The Professionals, Spooks, CIS and more recently Line of Duty, Hinterland and The Bridge.

And, of course, the big screen, where I’m probably more drawn to the action films like Heat, Ronin, Lawless, Last of the Mohicans, Reverend … really the list is endless. Having said that, two of my most favourite mystery films are Sleuth (1972) and The Last of Shelia (1973).

It’s probably not surprising that all these different forms of storytelling have influenced my own writing. Although, initially I wrote a romance, I still couldn’t help bringing in a bit of intrigue and mystery and this is a trend that has seeped more and more into my writing as time has gone on.

My latest novel The Girl Who Lied has lots of secrets and suspense which filters through as the story unfolds. I thoroughly enjoyed writing it and loved adding the twists and turns along the way.

The Girl Who Lied is out now, published by Harper Impulse.

Down Dorset Way... A Guest Post by Debbie Johnson

Today I'm welcoming Debbie Johnson to Books with Bunny.  Her new release Summer at the Comfort Food Café was published by Harper Impulse last Friday, and Debbie was keen to share exactly why she so loves Dorset in this guest post today.

Over to Debbie!

I must admit that when I booked our first holiday in Dorset, I actually secretly wanted to go to Cornwall, one of my favourite places on earth.

But with three kids and two dogs in the car, and the prospect of a lengthy drive from Liverpool, it seemed like a good compromise – a similar vibe, but with less time swearing on the motorway.

We headed off to our cottages near the village of Maiden Newton half expecting it to be a poor man’s Poldark country.

We couldn’t have been more wrong. Instead, we found a rich and varied county full of rolling hills, stunning countryside and of course a world-renowned coastline. We found pretty villages and wonderful pubs and gorgeous food. We found welcoming people, friendly faces, and heaven on earth for both the children and the dogs.

This is the land of Thomas Hardy and Tess of the d’Urbervilles; it’s Far from the Madding Crowd and it’s the French Lieutenant’s Woman and it’s Broadchurch. It’s absolutely bloody gorgeous, and I deny anybody looking down at Durdle Door in the morning not to fall in love with it.

We stay at Lancombe Country Cottages, a dog-friendly, family-friendly haven set between coast and country. Like Cherie’s properties at the Rockery, they’re wonderfully located – but unlike the Rockery, they are beautifully decorated inside as well!

Just a short drive away from there, you can find the resorts of Weymouth and Poole; Lyme Regis and West Bay, the Jurassic Coast and areas of outstanding natural beauty. Like Laura and her family, we never want to leave – but real life isn’t fiction, so we always have to!

It’s been wonderful creating a whole Dorset world for my characters to inhabit, and I hope you have enjoyed sharing their stories.

Sadly, the Comfort Food Cafe is entirely fictional – but the kind of beautiful view from its clifftop location are not. If you’re tempted to go and see for yourself, my friends at Visit Dorset have provided us with their list of the area’s Top Ten Views to Fall in Love With – and seeing is believing! 

1) Gold Hill, Shaftesbury – this steep cobbled street is famous for its picturesque appearance; the view looking down from the top of the street has been described as “one of the most romantic sights in England” and was made famous in the 1970s Hovis advert.

2) Hengistbury Head – this headland south-east of Christchurch was an important trading port even from the Iron Age but is now a Nature Reserve; stand on top of the plateau and you will see views of Christchurch Harbour, Mudeford, Isle of Wight and Bournemouth beach

3) Hambledon Hill – standing on top of this prehistoric hillfort situated near Blandford Forum gives glorious views across the Blackmore Vale. Nearby Fontmell Down offers similarly spectacular views.

 

 

4) Ballard Down – One of Dorset’s most attractive hills, Ballard Down offers fantastic views of the Dorset heaths, Poole Harbour and Old Harry Rocks.

5) Chesil Beach view near Abbotsbury – the coastal road from from Bridport to Abbotsbury (the B3157) offers wonderful views along the Jurassic Coast and just before you arrive in the picturesque village of Abbotsbury, Chesil Beach stretches before you with views to Portland.

6) Golden Cap –this is the highest point along the south coast of England and on a clear day, you can see to Dartmoor in Devon.

7) Hardy’s Monument, Portesham – erected in 1844, a monument to Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy who captained Nelson’s ship HMS Victory at the battle of Trafalgar and was born in Dorset; views across both heathland and the coast.

 

 

8) Swyre Head – the highest spot in the Purbeck hills near Swanage; the hill commands extensive views from the Isle of Wight to Portland.

10) Pilsdon Pen – Pilsdon Pen is an Iron Age Hillfort on the highest hill in Dorset and is only 30 metres short of a mountain! The hill offers sweeping views across the hedged landscape of the Marshwood Vale and is a perfect spot for a picnic.

You can find out more at www.visit-dorset.com, or connect with them via twitter @dorsettourism, https://www.facebook.com/VisitDorset/, or https://www.instagram.com/‌visitdorsetofficial/.

Cover reveal for Phillipa Ashley's Summer at the Cornish Cafe

I was very excited to hear that Phillipa Ashley was writing a new series and I'm thrilled to be able to share the cover for book one, Summer at the Cornish Café, today!

 

The book, the first in the Penwith trilogy, is due to be published by Avon on May 5th.  I can't wait!  It promises to be the perfect slice of summertime reading.

Fire Colour One - Jenny Valentine

The Blurb
A bold and brilliant novel about love, lies and redemption, from award-winning author, Jenny Valentine – one of the greatest YA voices of her generation.

Iris's father, Ernest, is at the end of his life and she hasn't even met him. Her best friend, Thurston, is somewhere on the other side of the world. Everything she thought she knew is up in flames.

Now her mother has declared war and means to get her hands on Ernest's priceless art collection. But Ernest has other ideas. There are things he wants Iris to know after he's gone. And the truth has more than one way of coming to light.

The Review
I've been reviewing for a long time - here on Books with Bunny, on Amazon, Goodreads, book forums...and normally it's a fairly easy process.  I've either liked a book or haven't.  I've appreciated the writing or I haven't.  I've liked (or hated, or connected in some way with) the characters or I haven't.  But when it comes to this book, it's very difficult for me.

Personally, I found it incredibly 'middling' in every sense.  Whilst it was readable, I wasn't swept away and after I'd put it down I didn't find myself itching to pick it back up.  I'd expected it to feel incredibly edgy because of Iris' pyromania, and I half hoped for an element of danger which never really took over to the extent I'd hoped.

That's not to say I didn't like Fire Colour One.  Iris was an interesting protagonist, a sparky (in more ways that one) female who is fighting against the materialistic world she's part of.  But for some reason I found it hard to connect with her, and although I did care (especially when her dreadful mother was making my skin crawl with her greed and self-centred ways) something didn't quite click.

The main strength of Fire Colour One was the stylised writing.  Every so often a sentence would blow me away because it was so beautiful to read.  And the ending had me cheering in delight!  However, there was something lacking for me in this short read that I can't quite put my finger on - it just didn't 'zing'. 

A nice enough read, but didn't pack the punch I was hoping for.

Fire Colour One is out now, published by Harper Collins Children's.

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The 2015 Catch Up -Part Four!

 

During December I took part in the Happy Harper Christmas event, an online celebration of Harper Impulse' festive reads.  As part of the event, I took part in the '3dathon', a very manageable readathon because, as the name suggests, the aim was to read three books!

Firstly, I read Brigid Coady's short story collection A Stocking Full of Romance.   Containing seven stories to satisfy romance readers of every type, each story had it's own unique flavour.  The first two stories which were more traditional in style were my favourites, but there were quirkier reads that will appeal to anyone looking for something fresh.  If you enjoy short stories, give this one a try!

Next I went for something totally different, Loving Winter Nights, Love Romance.  This perma-free story was written in a round robin style by a number of Harper Impulse authors and as a writer I loved the idea of reading a collaborative project written without a plan.  Without giving away the plot, this was full of tense scenes that made me wonder where it was heading, with a thread of romance interwoven for good measure.  I really loved the interview with the authors at the end, where they all spoke of their experience taking part in the project.  An interesting idea and well written, but at times, unsurprisingly when you consider the way it was written, the plot veered off on unnecessary tangents.

Finally, I read Cold Feet at Christmas, which had been a huge success for Debbie Johnson back in 2014.  It was even Christmas number 1 in the iTunes book chart! It took me a while to get into this one - I'd made the mistake of judging a book by its cover and had been expecting 'chicklit' (this was a pretty hot romance).  I'd also taken the cold feet to mean a nervous bride, rather than one who'd been jilted - the cold feet of the title were literal, rather than metaphorical.  The first section was built mainly around the sexual attraction between the two lead characters, with hints at the secrets of their pasts dropped in.  I definitely found the second half of the book 'meatier' and as I found out more about the characters and their lives it explained some of their choices and behaviours.  I also loved the Chicago scenes and reliving my own night up the Hancock Tower.  Why more books aren't set there I don't know, because it really is a city with everything going for it.  I'm looking forward to reading more Debbie Johnson now, and hear great things about her most recent release, Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Jumper.

 

Did you take part in the event?  If so, I'd love to hear what you read!

A Miracle at Macy's - Lynn Marie Hulsman

The Blurb

One lost dog. Two lonely hearts. A Manhattan Christmas full of magic.

Shy homebody Charlotte is planning her usual quiet Christmas celebration: Turkey for two for her and her beloved pet dog Hudson. Only, this year, little Hudson decides to take matters into his own paws and give his favourite human a holiday adventure she’ll never forget.

When Hudson runs away the week before Christmas, Charlotte is devastated. She’d rescued him from the trash years before and gave him a place in her home – and her heart. But with the help of uptight Englishman Henry, Charlotte ends up on a magical treasure hunt around Manhattan to find her furry, four-legged bestie.

Spotted in Central Park as one of Santa's Little Helpers, or last seen in the arms of a supermodel in Times Square, Hudson leads Charlotte and Henry on a very merry dance around the Big Apple, where love, (or should that be Christmas?!) actually is all around.

The Review

As soon as I saw the cover for  A Miracle at Macy's I knew I had to read it.  Christmas, New York, a cute as a button puppy - it looked like the perfect Christmas read.

Once I started reading, I knew I'd enjoy the story.  I immediately warmed to Charlotte, the quiet protagonist, and fell head over heels in love with her mischievous pup Hudson.  His personality shone through as much as that of any of the human characters and made me care about the major plotline - finding Hudson when he goes missing just before Christmas. 

What followed was a madcap campaign to reunite Charlotte and Hudson, made all the more high profile by Charlotte's event organiser aunt Miranda gaining celebrity supporters and designating the gorgeous Henry to keep the search in the limelight.  The New York backdrop was a perfect winter setting and Hulsman showcases what the city has to offer throughout the novel.  Her first hand experience of the city over the holidays is evident and had me longing to be there!

There was so much tension between Charlotte and Henry, I loved how their relationship sizzled!  It was an old fashioned romance with a new twist.  There need to be more nice guys like Henry in romantic fiction!

Humorous, touching and oh-so festive, A Miracle at Macy's is a feel-good read to banish the winter blues. 

A Miracle at Macy's is out now in ebook format and paperback on December 17th, published by Harper Impulse. 

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Emily Benet's Advent Calendar!

Emily's Advent Calendar of Christmas Goodness

As families grow, the pattern of Christmas changes. Us little kids are now big kids. Some of us have our own kids. We take it in turns to see different sides of our extended families and our traditions adapt and evolve. Although Christmas isn't as breathlessly exciting as it was when I was little, there are still plenty of things I love and look forward to. Here's my advent calendar of the best bits. I hope I've included at least one of yours:

1. Spontaneous Carol Singing - (you can always rely on my British family to burst into song at the dinner table. Classics include 'Who Killed Cock Robin?' and 'I am the music man'. My Colombian family sing too, though a little less in tune. Meanwhile my Spanish family have yet to make their carol singing debut.)

2. Mince pies and double cream - (to be eaten for breakfast in the days running up to Christmas.)

3. Lighting the Christmas pudding - (more fun than eating it.)

 

4. Midnight Mass - (with my Mum pointing out the nativity she finished late at night on the kitchen floor.)

5. My Grampa - (with his big smile. You'll be greatly missed this year.)

6. Cheese, crackers and port - (appearing when you think you can't eat any more...)

7. Bad jokes in Crackers - (Knock knock who's there? The same joke as last year!)

8. Stockings - (nothing is as exciting as feeling the crackle of a stocking at the end of your bed. If I ever have kids, I'll love making them one.)

 

9. Christmas Dinner - (thanks auntie, I don't know how you do it year in year out.)

10. Christmas Tree Smell - (reminds me of a special village in the Pyrenees, my childhood paradise)  

11. Fairy Lights - (twinkly white ones please)

12. Mulled Wine - (Oh, go on then.)

 

13. Mulled Cider - (to be drunk outside, with a hog roast)

14. Charcoal smell in the air - ( just pretend you know what I mean)

15. Cousins - (especially looking forward to seeing the one who went off to live in Nepal!)

16. Sherry - (Crofts for my auntie, Tio Pepe for me and my grandma)

17. Baubles - (big, glass ones.)

 

18. Downton Abbey Grand Finale - (there's always some finale or other to be watched on telly.)

19. Siblings Unite - (I haven't celebrated Christmas with my brother for 3 years. Funniest guy ever. Can't wait!)

20. Mimosas in the morning - (a tradition yet to be made but I'm working on it.)

21. Kids - (without them, all the adults tend to doze off watching the telly.)

22. Wrapping paper - (little or big, a present isn't a present if it isn't wrapped up!)

 

23. Games - (charades, Cranium, Lego... there's got to be at least one game.)

24. Family - (more than presents, what I look forward to at Christmas is spending time with the people I love! Soppy? Maybe. But it's true!)

I'm writing this from Bogota, Colombia, where there are no seasons. It's neither cold nor hot and I have no sense of Christmas yet. I know it's around the corner though and soon it will smell of oranges and cinnamon. Writing this has made me excited. I hope it has put you in a festive mood too. Wherever you are, whatever your traditions, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Emily Benet is the author of Harper Impulse titles The Temp and #PleaseRetweet.

Author Bio-
Emily Benet is an award winning blogger and author. Her new novel #PleaseRetweet is out now and is all about society's obsession with social media, a subject close to her heart!

Her debut book, Shop Girl Diaries, began as a blog about working in her Mum's chaotic chandelier shop. It was commissioned as a book by Salt Publishing and later turned into a short film starring Katy Wix which was shown at The London Short Film Festival 2014.

Her second book, The Temp, began as a serialised novel on Wattpad. It racked up two million hits, leading her to sign a two book deal with Harper Collins.

Emily runs Blogging and Social Networking workshops, lectures at Universities and has contributed to numerous publications including Publishing Talk, Mslexia and Writers & Artists. Her guidebook Blogging for Beginners is available as an ebook.

Check our her weekly blog, join her Facebook Author Page or check out her Tweets. She can't promise to be serious though.

 

5 Insider Tips for Christmas in New York by Lynn Marie Hulsman

If you’re lucky enough to spend the run-up to Christmas, or the magical day itself, in New York City, you’ll likely want to experience all of the events you’ve seen in the movies and on television. And you should! There’s nothing like seeing a couple get engaged on the ice at Rockefeller Center while Santa Claus looks on. Or walking along 5^th Avenue to see the iconic window displays. And you wouldn’t want to miss a trip to Macy’s flagship store on 34^th Street to visit Santaland and make your own miracles and memories.

But don’t skip the off-the-beaten path offerings my fair city has to offer up during the festive season. Here are a list of five of my favorite less heralded “must-dos” for the holidays in New York:

The Holiday Train Show, New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx

 

 

If you’ve never been to the New York Botanical Garden, you are in for a treat. The grounds are breathtaking in any season, and the ride up on Metro North is pleasant and relaxing. There’s always a holiday thrill in this air during this event, and it’ll whet your appetite for the big day. The trains themselves are glorious, and the bonus is that all the train displays are made out of barks, leaves, fruit, nuts, branches, and twigs!

Panna II Indian Restaurant, East Village

 

There is a strip in the East Village called Indian Row, dotted with dozens of curry-heavy restaurants. I have been going to this one for decades. Warning: It shares a staircase and tiny landing with a competitor, and the minute they see you coming, the wooing begins. Hold your ground and go to Panna, where you’ll be welcomed in a matter-of-fact way by the owner, Mr. Khan. The Christmassy part? All the lights and sparkles and foil decorations make the tiny eatery look like it got bombed by Santa. Plus, it’s open on Christmas Eve and Christmas.

The Arch at Washington Square Park, West Village

Washington Square Park enjoys a rich literary history with connections to Louisa May Alcott, Edgar Allan Poe, William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, and others. It’s in the historic New York University neighborhood, and is a pleasant place to walk and people watch. On December 9th at 6 p.m. they will light the giant tree, which will be followed by caroling.  And on Christmas Eve, enjoy more carols (led by a brass quartet) at the Arch, and sing along with l the locals who stay in New York for the holidays. 

The Big Apple Circus, on the Campus of Lincoln Center, Upper West Side

 

This wonderful show, which changes themes each year, relies less on animals and more on human fats of skill, acrobatics, and showmanship. It’s so fun to be under the Big Top smack in the middle of Manhattan. It feels like taking a trip! And when the circus is over, wander out onto the plaza at Lincoln Center and take photos by the famous fountain and lighted steps. The tree will be lit, and you’ll glimpse the buildings that house the world’s most famous opera and ballet companies.

Grand Central Station’s Holiday Fair, Midtown East

 

Not only can you shop for unique gifts here during the holiday season, there are events such as art installations and music concerts to immerse yourself in. There are trains every year, and if you get hungry, you can grab a bite at the food court, or if you want to splash out, have a meal at The Oyster Bar. Sit at the counter and watch the ancient, hard-boiled New York waiters and cooks prepare your stew to order in the one-of-a-kind countertop kettles. And on your way out, stop at one of New York’s best-kept secrets: The Whispering Arch. Physics makes it possible for you to stand meters away from a friend and hear the message that he or she speaks, even with a turned back.

Lynn Marie Hulsman lives in New York.  Her Christmas novel A Miracle at Macy's is out now, published by Harper Impulse.

 

Amazon UK

Amazon US
 

Website: http://www.lynnmariehulsman.com

Twitter: @lynnmariesays

FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lynn-Marie-Hulsman-Author-591579824213840/

 

Linn B Halton competition

Author Linn B Halton is celebrating with a competition running from 5th November - 5 December, 2015!

In the UK, Falling: Angels Among Us The complete series (published by Harper Impulse) will be on the shelves in some of the WHSmith stores for a four-week promotion. The star of Falling, Ceri, is sprinkling a little 'festive' love ...

Launching the Rafflecopter #FallingComp

1st prize - one lucky winner can choose a gift of their choice, valued at £100/$150* (International) 2nd prize - two lucky winners will each receive one signed paperback of A Cottage in the Country - released 23 Sept 2015 (UK only; non-UK ecopy) 3rd prize - six lucky winners will each receive an ebook of their choice from any of Linn's titles (International)

*(gift to be chosen from across the Amazon stores, or full cash prize via Paypal if you prefer to shop locally)

Take part below - there are lots of different ways to join in the fun and get your chance to be a winner!

What would YOU choose?

A special something just for YOU?

Or use the CASH to pamper yourself - or even to help out with those holiday expenses!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ceri thinks she sees angels … everywhere. She struggles to keep separate what feels like two very different sides to her life. As a manager in an advertising company she’s been working with the gorgeous Alex for two years. The have a friendship based upon the image she portrays whilst she’s at work and it helps to keep her sane. One mad, crazy night spent sharing their secrets and a lot of wine result in them ending up in bed together, and their relationship changes. When Alex explains that the reason he doesn’t date is because someone broke his heart, how can Ceri admit that she feels a deep connection to him?

Ceri knows she’s different. What she doesn’t fully appreciate, is that her task in life is to correct a series of incidents that affect some of the people’s lives with whom she comes into contact. She’s simply putting right little errors that could ripple outwards and change the course of their destiny. When she finds herself getting pulled into things that happen around her, how can she prove that she really has made a difference? Is it all in her head?

She’s alone for a reason; she’s not meant to fall in love in her earthly life. Alex is supposed to cross paths with her and help Ceri, during a phase where she begins to question the signs she’s being given. It’s meant to be a turning point for them both—but in opposite directions. They are destined to travel very different paths … but Ceri doesn’t know that and neither does Alex …

Someone has to win and it could be YOU!

Falling: Angels Among Us the series is published by Harper Impulse.

Author website: http://linnbhalton.co.uk/ Linn's books: http://smarturl.it/LinnBHaltonbooks

Entrants must be over 18 years of age. A gift (or gifts) to the value of £100/$150 may be chosen by the designated winner from Amazon, OR funds to that value will be transferred into the winner's PayPal account upon receipt of details.

Proof of entry requirements must be met before the prizes are awarded.

Winner(s) will be contacted by email within 5 workings after the giveaway ends.

 

Every Time a Bell Rings - Carmel Harrington

Today's review is part of the Around the World blog tour organised by Book Connectors in partnership with Trip Fiction and I'm delighted to be one of the first to share my thoughts on Carmel Harrington's new release Every Time a Bell Rings.

 

The Blurb

 

Belle has taken all the Christmas decorations down. This year they won’t be celebrating.
As foster parents, Belle and Jim have given many children the chance of a happier start in life. They’ve loved them as if they were their own. They shouldn’t have favourites but little Lauren has touched their hearts. And now her mother is well enough to take her back and Belle can’t bear the loss.

Hence, Christmas is cancelled.

So when Jim crashes his car one icy December night, after an argument about Lauren, Belle can only blame herself. Everything she loves is lost. And Belle finds herself standing on The Ha’Penny Bridge wishing she had never been born.

But what happens to a Christmas wish when an angel is listening…

Will Belle realise, before it’s too late, that her life is the most wonderful life of all?

Inspired by the timeless tale of beloved Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, Carmel Harrington’s next book tells the story of Belle, a young woman and foster carer from Dublin who faces the hardest decision of her life this Christmas on The Ha’Penny Bridge.

Full of Irish charm, magic, and the warmth of the festive season this is an emotional, heartwarming story that will stay with you long after you’ve reached ‘The End’. Perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern & Jojo Moyes.

Carmel is the bestselling author of The Life You Left & Beyond Grace’s Rainbow, voted Romantic eBook of the Year 2013.

The Review
Oh why is it so hard to review a book you really loved?  It should be so incredibly effortless to string together a run of superlatives and reiterate the key points in a book in just the right way to create a review that encourages everyone who reads it that this is a book they must read.

But for me these reviews are the most difficult to write, maybe because of some inner pressure to do the book justice or because you don't want to spoil the story for anyone who does decide to pick it up.  As a book reviewer, I review books.  The clue is in the name.  So I'm just going to have to do my best and hope that it's enough.  Here goes nothing...

At first glance Every Time a Bell Rings is a Christmas book.  It's got a cover reminiscent of a classic Christmas card, a title taken directly from one of the most popular festive films of all-time and has plenty of references to the pop songs which are played on loop from the end of October through til New Year's Eve. 

However, this book is so much more than a Christmas romance. 

Set in Dublin, Every Time a Bell Rings is the story of Belle Bailey and Jim 'the big ride' Looney's relationship.  It follows their lives together from their childhood in foster care through to their reunion, marriage and their own parenting journey. 

Neither Belle nor Jim had an easy start in life and my heart broke for them as they came to terms with life in a foster family, but it's not all doom and gloom.  Carmel Harrington manages to fill even the most bleak scenes with a distant sense of hope and that's why this book has made such a lasting impression on me.  There are some upsetting moments, such as when Belle struggles with her mother's response to her letters, and another storyline later in the book had me sobbing uncontrollably. 

But overall the powerful message woven into every page of this story is that every life is important.  Every person has something to offer.  Your actions impact on others.  What you do, however small, has the potential to change the world, whether that's directly or indirectly.  You matter.

Belle and Jim's story is heartfelt and beautiful, gorgeously written in a way that tugged hard on my heartstrings.  Don't be fooled by the Christmassy exterior -  Every Time a Bell Rings is a novel that can help you reassess your place in the world at any time of year.  The famous quotes at the start of each chapter give even more food for thought.

I'm certain this is going to be another bestseller for Carmel Harrington.  Buy it.  You won't regret it.

Every Time a Bell Rings is released on October 15th in ebook format and November 19th in paperback, published by Harper Impulse.  Pre order here.

The author provided me with a copy of this book in return for my honest, unbiased opinion. 

 

The Around The World Blog Tour is a partnership between TripFiction and #BookConnectors ~ bloggers and authors, travelling the world through fiction.

 

TripFiction was created to make it easy to match a location with a book and help you select good literature that is most pertinent and relevant to your trip. A resource for armchair and actual travellers, it is a unique way of exploring a place through the eyes of an author. We blog, and chat books and travel across Social Media, and love to meet authors and bloggers as we take our literary journey.

http://www.tripfiction.com/

 

Book Connectors was created as a place on Facebook for Bloggers, authors and small publishers to share their news. 

We encourage book promotions; information about competitions and giveaways; news of events, including launch events, signings, talks or courses. Talk about new signings, about film deals .... anything really.

Book Connectors is a friendly group, there are no rules or guidelines - just be polite and respectful to each other. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1466353170351020/

 

Waiting on Wednesday- Tinsel and Terriers- Cressida McLaughlin

This week I'm Waiting on Wednesday for Tinsel and Terriers by Cressida McLaughlin.  I've been blown away by Cressida's relaxed and chatty storytelling in the Primrose Terrace series and this final instalment promises to wrap everything up with neatly folded corners and silky Christmas ribbon. 

 

I can't wait until it's released on October 22nd, published by Harper.

 

The Blurb

Christmas is coming to Primrose Terrace, Pooch Promenade is doing brilliantly and Cat has made lots of new friends in the street, both dogs and their owners. Life seems good. Things start to go badly when Cat learns something about Mark that she wishes she hadn’t. Then, when one of Ellen’s lovable schnauzers, Chalky, gets ill, it looks like this Christmas could be turning into a dog’s dinner. But Cat has never given up on anything in her life – and this is one Christmas that’s definitely worth saving…

Tinsel and Terriers is the fourth and final part of a serialized novel told in four parts – all set in Primrose Terrace.

Geek Drama- Holly Smale

The Blurb

“My name is Harriet Manners and I am a geek.”

Harriet Manners knows that the hottest observed place on earth is Furnace Creek in Death Valley. She knows that dolphins shed the top layer of their skin every two hours. And she knows just how badly auditions can go, especially when you’re a model. But she has no idea what to do when her arch-nemesis decides the school play is the perfect opportunity to humiliate her…

Can GEEK GIRL survive the bright lights of the stage?

The Review

I read the first two Geek Girl books last year when I was in hospital and they were such a tonic-  YA books full to the brim with slapstick humour and an entertaining plot.  They covered friendship (and bullying), first love, family and were crammed full of strange and interesting facts which Harriet shares with anyone who'll listen. 

Geek Drama is book 2.5 of the series and was released for World Book Day.  It's not a full length book, but these 128 pages squeeze in a lot of story.  There are the same hilarious characters throughout- Harriet and her family, Harriet's best friend Nat (who always wanted to be a model- and then Harriet inadvertently stole her dream), arch enemy Alexa and stalker Toby.  I loved getting to find out more about them in this novella length read.

As Nat decides she's ready to pursue her new dream of being an actress, the girls audition for parts in the school production of Hamlet.  It's an unconventional adaptation of the play in every sense, but that only enriches the entertainment value provided- I wouldn't expect anything less than slightly madcap in a Geek Girl book!  The moment when Nat realises her role isn't quite what she expected was laugh out loud funny-I could see it so clearly in my mind.  I want these books to be made into films SOOOOOO badly.

These books are fabulously funny yet also convey the importance of friendship, being true to yourself and developing resilience.  I love how Holly Smale strikes that balance between comedy and issues that are important to teens (and beyond.  I'm in my mid thirties and still need to work on developing a thicker skin). 

I can't wait to read the third and fourth books in the series- I'm a Geek Girl fangirl and proud of it!

Geek Drama is out now published by Harper Collins Children's Books.

Sunshine and Spaniels- Cressida McLaughlin

The Blurb
Hilarious, touching and fun, Primrose Terrace will appeal to dog lovers everywhere and fans of Lucy Diamond, Cathy Bramley and Trisha Ashley.

Cat Palmer’s dog-walking business, Pooch Promenade is taking off. It hasn’t been plain sailing but with the help of her flatmate Joe, she’s taken on some more new clients from Primrose Terrace. But when she meets boisterous puppy Olaf, who is owned by harassed single mum Frankie, she wonders if she has bitten off more than she can chew! Cat’s also getting to know her sexy neighbour Mark and his Collie, Chips, a little better, but is there more to him than meets the eye? Perhaps sorting out her best friend Polly’s love life will be easier than her own…

Sunshine and Spaniels is the second part of a serialized novel told in four parts – all set in Primrose Terrace.

The Review

I read and reviewed part one of the Primrose Terrace series earlier this year- you can see that review here.  I mentioned then how I wasn't always a fan of serialised novels, and that still holds true.  Personally, I find it takes a while to reengage with the characters when there's been a while between release dates, and then the first few pages are spent reintroducing the protagonists and the setting.  However, that's just my taste, and although I still feel I'd rather be reading this in one lovely chunky book than in shorter novella-style snippets, I can only review on what's in front of me at the time.

And what was in front of me was some fabulous writing!  Cressida McLaughlin has created such a warm and friendly place in Primrose Terrace, somewhere it is a delight to visit, even if that is only through the pages of a book. 

Cat, the cheery optimist who runs a dog-walking business, organises a puppy picnic at the local park.  Here we are introduced to lively puppy Olaf and his family, and Cat, always keen to help, offers her support to struggling young Mum, Frankie.  I loved this storyline.  It had the cosy, community feel I always adore, and without giving too much away, never have I so coveted a fictional bedroom!

I liked that Cat's friend Polly was given her own love interest this time around too- as a veterinary nurse with a kind, caring nature, she deserves some happiness.  I hope that by the next instalment things will still be on an upward trajectory for her (and her beau has the most perfect job!)

The love triangle for Cat still smoulders on- should she pick enigmatic Mark or her reliable housemate Joe? (Pick Joe, pick Joe!)  I have less of a bad feeling about Mark after this one, but there's still an element of distrust.  He's just so unreliable, which is never good.  Plus Joe sounds so lovely- if she doesn't end up with him, he can be my next book boyfriend instead.  Some of the things he does are incredibly thoughtful and that always makes me swoon.

Overall, I really enjoyed reacquainting myself with these characters.  I hope Cressida McLaughlin is writing fast, because I'm gagging for a full length novel full of the heart and humour that this series has.  Sunshine and Spaniels is another winner!

Sunshine and Spaniels is out now, published by Harper Collins.

With thanks to the publisher who gave me a copy of this book in return for my unbiased opinion.