#BookReview CHRISTMAS AT THE LITTLE BEACH CAFE by MORTON S.GRAY

ABOUT THE BOOK

Run away to the little beach café this Christmas …

Five years ago at Christmas, solicitor Justin Sadler made the decision to leave his comfortable existence behind and move to the coast. Since then, he’s tried his best to ignore the festive season and, as he sits in the little beach café and reflects on that fateful night when his life was turned upside down, he expects his fifth Christmas alone to be no different to any of the others since he made his escape.

But when he encounters a mystery woman on the beach, he soon realises he may have found a fellow runaway and kindred spirit. Could Justin finally be ready to move on and let Christmas into his life again

PUBLISHED BY CHOC LIT

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Little-Beach-Cafe-heart-warming-ebook/dp/B08L3VTGZL/ 

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/christmas-at-the-little-beach-cafe/id1535456533?itsct=books_toolbox&itscg=30200&at=11lNBs&ct=books_christmas_at_the_little_beach_cafe&ls=1 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/christmas-at-the-little-beach-cafe 

Google:  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Morton_S_Gray_Christmas_at_the_Little_Beach_Cafe?id=ZB4EEAAAQBAJ 

Nook:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-at-the-little-beach-cafe-morton-s-gray/1137896817?ean=2940162820031 

MY REVIEW

The perfect blend of romance, mystery and drama – all set in the wonderful setting of Borteen Bay. This is book 5 in the series, but very easily read as a standalone and is the perfect festive read!

Justin is the focus of this story and he moved to the Bay 5 years ago. What prompted his sudden move and his aversion to the festive period soon become clear, and you wonder if he’s ever going to be able to move on in his life and embrace the tinsel and baubles of Christmas!

When he encounters a mystery woman on the beach, it seems clear his path to a happier life may soon be on the cards! But she has secrets of her own and he is intrigued by her. Silvie is her name and she is finding life tough and seems on tenterhooks permanently. She wants to get away from something and is reluctant to let people into her life.

But there’s an ease and instant connection between Justin and Silvie – maybe their past experiences bond them, and I just loved seeing how well they clicked and how they supported one another in trying to move forward in their lives!

There’s plenty of unexpected drama along the way that really adds to the tension and I loved the mix of light and dark!! Fabulous festive fiction!!

★★★★★

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#BookReview CHRISTMAS AT MOONSHINE HOLLOW by ANGELA BRITNELL

ABOUT THE BOOK

Mistletoe and moonshine: a Christmas match made in heaven?

Moonshine Hollow’s famous ‘Lightning Flash’ might be an acquired taste, although the same could be said for moonshine distillery owner Cole Landon, what with his workaholic habits and ‘Scrooge’ tendencies when it comes to all things Christmassy.

But when Jenna Pendean from Cornwall pays a visit to Cole’s family-run distillery in Tennessee during the holiday season, will Cole’s cynicism about the existence of Christmas miracles be put to the test?

PUBLISHED BY CHOC LIT

PURCHASE LINKS

Kindle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Moonshine-Hollow-wonderful-feel-good-ebook/dp/B08K95SXLV/ 

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/christmas-at-moonshine-hollow/id1533651559?itsct=books_toolbox&itscg=30200&at=11lNBs&ct=books_christmas_at_moonshine_hollow&ls=1 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/christmas-at-moonshine-hollow 

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-at-moonshine-hollow-angela-britnell/1137771792?ean=2940162963264 

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Angela_Britnell_Christmas_at_Moonshine_Hollow?id=_5oCEAAAQBAJ

MY REVIEW

I was in need of a pick me up read, and this was absolutely blooming perfect for that!! There’s just something about those Southern men that Angela writes about that I can’t help falling for!!

Over in Tennesse, we get to visit the family distillery that Cole runs. A real workaholic so with Christmas approaching his family are getting to his scrooge like tendencies again! They just want him to have a bit of fun but he feels the pressure keeping up the good work that previous generations worked so hard for!

Jenna is over in Tennesse on ‘holiday’ but she’s actually searching for answers after she discovered something in her family history that has left her with many questions but she soon finds herself under the spell of Cole when she has a tour of the distillery, and the feeling is mutual!

These two together are just so much fun – there seems to be a pretty strong connection from the start with them. They just get on so well and have some really good banter… alcohol does play a part!! What do you expect when a book is set at a distillery?!!

As Jenna starts to spend more time at the distillery helping out with the tours, she begins to see how things work behind the scenes which leaves her with a dilemma concerning her quest to solve her family puzzle!

It’s fun, flirty, festive and fabulous!!

★★★★★

#GuestPost CHRISTMAS AT MOONSHINE HOLLOW by ANGELA BRITNELL #PublicationDay @ChocLituk @AngelaBritnell

Always a delight to have a guest post for a Publication Day release, so very happy to hand over the reigns for Books and Me! today to ANGELA BRITNELL on release day for CHRISTMAS AT MOONSHINE HOLLOW!!  

Over to you Angela….

Thank you for inviting me to pop in and say hello to your readers on publication day. I know there are tons of new Christmas books out already or set to be released but I’m almost certain mine is the only one set in Tennessee moonshine distillery!

I’ve been intrigued by the history of illegal southern moonshiners ever since watching an American television show featuring heavily bearded men making moonshine in the woods that they sold covertly in Mason jars while trying to avoid the law. Cole Landon, my fictional moonshine distiller, is the modern legal version of his notorious great-grandfather “Lightening” Landon who certainly fitted the od-time mould. Cole is as proud of his product as his notorious relative ever was and will do anything to save his business when it comes under threat. Research is always an interesting aspect of writing but in this case it proved to be enjoyable too because I needed to visit a real live distillery. The Leiper’s Fork Distillery is only a few miles from my house and although they make whiskey as opposed to moonshine the process is very similar and the owner/distiller has a real passion for his craft that he was happy to share.

Today I’ll raise a glass to the countless generations of Tennessee moonshiners because without them I wouldn’t have a story!

🎄🎄🎄

About the book:

Mistletoe and moonshine: a Christmas match made in heaven?

Moonshine Hollow’s famous ‘Lightning Flash’ might be an acquired taste, although the same could be said for moonshine distillery owner Cole Landon, what with his workaholic habits and ‘Scrooge’ tendencies when it comes to all things Christmassy.

But when Jenna Pendean from Cornwall pays a visit to Cole’s family-run distillery in Tennessee during the holiday season, will Cole’s cynicism about the existence of Christmas miracles be put to the test?

🎄🎄🎄

Buying links: 

Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Moonshine-Hollow-Angela-Britnell-ebook/dp/B08K95SXLV/ 

Amazon US: www.amazon.com/Christmas-Moonshine-Hollow-Angela-Britnell-ebook/dp/B08K95SXLV/ 

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/christmas-at-moonshine-hollow/id1533651559 

Kobo: www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/christmas-at-moonshine-hollow

#BookReview ESCAPE TO THE LITTLE CHATEAU by MARIE LAVAL #PublicationDay

ABOUT THE BOOK

Will Amy’s dreams of a Provençal escape come true?

There are many reasons Amy Carter is determined to make Bellefontaine, her farmhouse hotel in the French countryside, a success. Of course, there’s the time and money she’s put in to making it beautiful, but she also has something to prove – particularly to people like Fabien Coste.

Fabien is the owner of the nearby château, and he might just be the most arrogant, patronising man Amy has ever met … unfortunately, he’s also the most handsome.
But as rumours circulate in the local community and secrets about the old farmhouse begin to reveal themselves, Amy quickly sees the less idyllic side of life at Bellefontaine. Could Fabien be the man to help prevent her Provençal dream from turning into a nightmare?

This was previously published as A Spell in Provence by Accent Press in 2015. This is a revised, edited and updated version. Published October 2020 by Choc Lit.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Escape-Little-Chateau-gorgeous-surprises-ebook/dp/B08HS82MS9/ 

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/escape-to-the-little-chateau/id1531307036?itsct=books_toolbox&itscg=30200&at=11lNBs&ls=1 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/escape-to-the-little-chateau

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Marie_Laval_Escape_to_the_Little_Chateau?id=GIYAEAAAQBAJ

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/escape-to-the-little-chateau-marie-laval/1137618221?ean=2940163078813

MY REVIEW

This is one of those books that makes you want to pack up all your stuff and head for the French countryside in the hope that you’ll discover your own Fabien!! Swoon!!

But that’s not why Amy finds herself in France – she’s determined to make a big success of opening her own farmhouse hotel. No mean feat considering she’s new to the country and hoping to do everything herself! Her dreams and determination will have you on her side from the get go, and the gorgeous setting she finds herself in is just an added bonus!

Fabien is the owner of the swanky local chateau, and is a big name across the world for first class establishment so he’s well aware of the work needed to run a business so tries to offer some friendly advice to Amy, of which she isn’t too keen to take on board! You get the idea she doesn’t like being told how to do things, even if that makes her appear a little stubborn and ungrateful!

But this isn’t a straightforward romance story, as there is a much darker side to the goings on especially within the area and Amy finds herself in the middle of it.  It is clear someone doesn’t take too kindly to her being there and there are a number of threats that are very sinister.

There’s a lot for Amy to learn, both about running a business, and also the local folklore and history and with the help of Fabian she uncovers some disturbing details of the lady of the forest! You are just hoping that this dream move for Amy doesn’t turn into a nightmare!

I loved the dark and light of this story!  It added so much edge to it and it was often quite shocking to see how dark things got!  A bewitching tale!!

★★★★★

#GuestPost ESCAPE TO THE LITTLE CHATEAU by MARIE LAVAL #PublicationDay @ChocLituk

Thanks for joining me today as I’ve another wonderful Guest Post for you all to enjoy. And today we are celebrating Publication Day for ESCAPE TO THE LITTLE CHATEAU by MARIE LAVAL and Marie is sharing her recipe for writing the book!!!

Over to you Marie……..

Escape to the Little Chateau

My Recipe for a Romantic Suspense in Provence

I have always loved reading romantic suspense novels. They are a fascinating genre, having to combine action and romance, mystery and passion. They have to keep the reader guessing until the end, not only about the resolution of the romantic conflict between the hero and heroine, but also about the resolution of the mystery.

During a family holiday in Provence a few years ago, I decided that the region would make a brilliant setting for a romantic suspense novel. The more I researched the area of Lubéron where the story is set and learned about the Salyens – the Celtic tribes who lived in Provence before the Romans invaded the region, the more fascinated I became … Juggling the love story and the suspense element was exciting – a little like trying a new recipe!

So here was my recipe for writing ESCAPE TO THE LITTLE CHATEAU…

Take these essential ingredients:

A determined, English heroine who buys an old Provençal farmhouse to pursue a life-long dream of running a guesthouse.

A handsome, enigmatic French hero who owns Manoir Coste, a vast estate and luxury hotel.

An ancient spell…

Mix well and stir in a large spoonful of Provence’s ancient history, including tales of a long lost temple and cryptic Latin inscriptions on village fountains.

Add a sprinkle of hostility by locals and a drizzle of passion.

Whisk the mixture until the heroine has fallen head-over-heels in love with the hero.

Then add a few drops of doubt and a soupçon of fear, caused by tales of gruesome murders and eerie sightings in the nearby forest.

Simmer on slow heat until tension sizzles and bubbles.

Finally, pour the mixture into a heart-shaped tin and bake under the watchful eye of Bona Dea, Provence’s ancient Salyen goddess.

When ready, enjoy with a cup of black coffee or a glass of chilled rosé wine!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Will Amy’s dreams of a Provençal escape come true? There are many reasons Amy Carter is determined to make Bellefontaine, her farmhouse hotel in the French countryside, a success.

 Of course, there’s the time and money she’s put in to making it beautiful, but she also has something to prove – particularly to people like Fabien Coste. Fabien is the owner of the nearby château, and he might just be the most arrogant, patronising man Amy has ever met … unfortunately, he’s also the most handsome. But as rumours circulate in the local community and secrets about the old farmhouse begin to reveal themselves, Amy quickly sees the less idyllic side of life at Bellefontaine. Could Fabien be the man to help prevent her Provençal dream from turning into a nightmare? 

This was previously published as A Spell in Provence by Accent Press in 2015. This is a revised, edited and updated version.

 Published October 2020 by Choc Lit.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Originally from Lyon in France, Marie now lives in Lancashire and writes historical and contemporary romance. Best-selling LITTLE PINK TAXI was her debut romantic comedy novel with Choc Lit. A PARIS FAIRY TALE was published in July 2019, followed by BLUEBELL’S CHRISTMAS MAGIC in November 2019. She also writes short stories for the bestselling Miss Moonshine anthologies, and is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors. Her novels are available as ebooks and audiobooks on Amazon and various other platforms.

You can find Marie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/marielavalauthor/ and Twitter (https://twitter.com/MarieLaval1

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Escape-Little-Chateau-gorgeous-surprises-ebook/dp/B08HS82MS9/ 

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/escape-to-the-little-chateau/id1531307036?itsct=books_toolbox&itscg=30200&at=11lNBs&ls=1 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/escape-to-the-little-chateau

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Marie_Laval_Escape_to_the_Little_Chateau?id=GIYAEAAAQBAJ

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/escape-to-the-little-chateau-marie-laval/1137618221?ean=2940163078813

#BookReview HOLLY’S CHRISTMAS SECRET by KIRSTY FERRY

ABOUT THE BOOK

Once upon a Cornish Christmas …

It’s almost Christmas at the Pencradoc estate in Cornwall which means that, as usual, tea room owner Sorcha Davies is baking up a festive storm. And this year Sorcha is hoping her mince pies will be going down a treat at ‘The Spirit of Christmas Past’ exhibition being organised at the house by new local antiques dealer, Locryn Dyer.

But as Locryn and Sorcha spend more time together, they begin to uncover a very special story of Christmas past that played out at Pencradoc more than a century before, involving a certain ‘Lady’ Holly Sawyer, a festive dinner party and a magical secret encounter with a handsome author …

PUBLISHED BY CHOC LIT

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollys-Christmas-Secret-perfect-heart-warming-ebook/dp/B08GSM8519/  

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hollys-christmas-secret/id1529429721?itsct=books_toolbox&itscg=30200&at=11lNBs&ls=1

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/holly-s-christmas-secret

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hollys-christmas-secret-kirsty-ferry/1137551652?ean=2940162757702

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kirsty_Ferry_Holly_s_Christmas_Secret?id=G9j7DwAAQBAJ

MY REVIEW

We return to Pencradoc for another magical time slip story, and once again it just sweeps you away with the history and the mystery and I loved it!

This is book 3 in the Cornish Secrets series, but can easily be read as a standalone as each story follows a different character and experience.

This time Sorcha, the tearoom owner, is the main focus of this story as she helps get things ready for the Spirit of Christmas Past exhibition being held there. Locryn is the new local antique dealer, and he’s also involved so that means they have to start spending a lot of time together! And that’s when the fun starts!!

They both begin to watch the past unfold in front of their eyes and it’s always such a remarkable sight to see characters of the past play out their storyline. We get to travel back to 1906 for the ghostly goings on, and are introduced to Elsie Pencradoc and her friend Holly who are planning a big Christmas party!

This had such a fairytale feel to it throughout – from the setting to the storyline – and I just adored my time spent in the company of all these characters! A spectacular supernatural story!!

★★★★★

#PublicationDayPost NEW YEAR NEW GUY by ANGELA BRITNELL #guestpost @ChocLituk @AngelaBritnell

An absolute delight for me today to be able to post this Blog Post on behalf of the lovely Angela Britnell and Choc Lit on PUBLICATION DAY!!   So sit back and enjoy a few words from Angela, a little bit more about the book and, most importantly!, links to be able to get your mitts on a copy of the wonderful NEW YEAR, NEW GUY!

New Year New Guy: A Brief Break from Cornwall!

This story is a break from my usual Cornwall/Nashville romances because the setting ventures over the border into Devon and the city of Plymouth, with a few side trips I don’t want to give away here! It was interesting to change things up and I hope my readers will forgive me and hopefully enjoy visiting some different places along the way. To those who don’t know there has always been a touch of rivalry between Cornwall and Devon, in fact older Cornish people will talk about crossing the Tamar River border as though they are travelling to another country. And don’t even get them all started on the proper way to eat a cream tea. Whether to put jam or cream on the scones first is the source of endless debates. I purposely avoided going anywhere near that particular minefield in the book but anyone who knows that I’m Cornish born and bred will guess where I fall on that particular question…

‘Out with the old life, in with the new,’ sums the book up perfectly. When we first meet Laura she’s standing in the rain at the Plymouth bus station waiting to collect Hunter who her sister Polly has invited as a surprise for her fiancé Johnny at their pre-wedding party. Although Laura is cynical about the idea of lifelong love after escaping from her own brief, bad marriage to an arrogant surgeon she agreed to take care of this unknown American for a few days to please her sister. The minute Hunter sets foot on English soil again for the first time in twenty years he knows he’s made a mistake and would bet his last dollar that his old friend won’t be pleased to have the past dragged up. For a multitude of reasons, many of them tied to the time he and Johnny spent at school together, he’s also determined to stay single and no prickly English nurse will change his mind. Or will she? Could Laura come around to the idea that love doesn’t have to mean losing her sense of self?

It was a challenge to touch on a few darker themes in this story without losing the sense of fun and romance I always strive to bring to my books but I hope I’ve managed it, only reviews and sales will confirm that. Sending Laura and Hunter’s story out into the world today means that it’s time to get busy on my summer release!

About the book:

Out with the old life, in with the new …

When Laura’s bride-to-be sister, Polly, organises a surprise reunion for her fiancé and his long lost American friend, Laura grudgingly agrees to help keep the secret. And when the plain-spoken, larger-than-life Hunter McQueen steps off the bus in her rainy Devon town and only just squeezes into her tiny car, it confirms that Laura has made a big mistake in going along with her sister’s crazy plan.

But could the tall, handsome man with the Nashville drawl be just what reserved Laura Williams needs to shake up her life and start something new?

PUBLISHED BY CHOC LIT

About the Author:

Angela grew up in Cornwall and returns frequently from her new home in Nashville, Tennessee to visit family and friends, drink tea and eat far too many Cornish pasties!

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. Thanks to over three decades of marriage to her wonderful American husband she’s a huge fan of transatlantic romance and always makes sure her characters get their own happy-ever-after.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Romance Writers of America and the Music City Romance Writers.

If you’d like to find out more of what Angela gets up to (warning this may include references to wine, chocolate and the hunky Aidan Turner) check out www.angelabritnellromance.com or follow her on www.facebook.com/angelabritnell and www.twitter.com/angelabritnell

Buying Links: 

Kindle UK: https://amzn.to/38N23zv 

Kindle US: https://amzn.to/38MJsUz 

Kobo: https://apple.co/2wCu7aT 

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2wCu7aT

💟💟💟

#BookReview IT STARTED WITH A GIGGLE by KIRSTY FERRY #publicationday @ChocLituk

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sometimes the best things start in the strangest ways …. with a giggle!
On a night out in Edinburgh, single mum Liza-Belle Graham finds herself revealing her hopes and dreams to a green-eyed stranger. Liza always wanted to run an “arty-crafty-booky” business, and she’s seen the perfect empty shop to make her dreams a reality. No harm in telling the stranger. It’s not like she’ll see him again …

But Scott McCreadie is no mystery man – he’s an interior designer looking for new premises. And who does Liza bump into when she arranges a viewing? None other than Scott trying to steal her perfect shop!
Is Liza’s arty-crafty-booky dream in jeopardy, or is a new dream about to begin?

PUBLISHED BY CHOC LIT

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Started-Giggle-wonderful-heart-warming-story-ebook/dp/B081Z43HXK/

Apple: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/it-started-with-a-giggle/id1489159621?mt=11&app=itunes&at=11lNBs 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/it-started-with-a-giggle

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kirsty_Ferry_It_Started_with_a_Giggle?id=b9jFDwAAQBAJ

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/it-started-with-a-giggle-kirsty-ferry/1135121910

Website: https://www.choc-lit.com/dd-product/it-started-with-a-giggle/

MY REVIEW

There’s romance, drama, fun and a cat that always steals the show – what more do you want from a book?!  It’s always wonderful to reconnect with characters from the Schubert series (Every Witch Way and A Christmas Secret ) and this time with get to follow the story of single mum Liza and Scott, who is Nessa’s brother. They meet when she’s on a rare night out and there’s a spark between them, but then that could be the booze that Liza has been drinking! She opens up to him about her plans for her future business as she hopes to open an ‘arty crafty bookstore’ (don’t we all?!).   He’s also on the lookout for new premises for his interior design business, and when they find themselves looking at the same place their ‘attraction’ soon becomes ‘irritation’!

When the owner of the building comes up with a compromise it’s fun to watch to see if it works out for the both of them, and with  Liza’s daughter Isa becoming firm friends with both Scott and Schubert, then maybe Liza can’t be too negative about Scott for too long.  He has a ‘sarky’ side but also shows himself to be very understanding and compassionate. Liza has been on her own for quite sometime now so is used to doing things her way and looking out for her daughter, so maybe someone new on the scene  is a little daunting for her.

I found this latest installment in the series to be just as much fun to read as the others. I loved seeing how Schubert made his presence felt as always, and the characters in his world were just as fun to follow. It was heartwarming, dramatic and I had all the feels as the story evolved with a rather dramatic and unexpected twist!

★★★★★

#BlogTour #Giveaway #BookReview Bluebell’s Christmas Magic by Marie Laval @rararesources

Hugely excited to be on the Blog Tour today for the wonderful Marie Laval and Bluebell’s Christmas Magic! My thanks to the author, publisher and Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for letting me be part of it all! As well as my review of this festive read, there’s also a giveaway with some fabulous prizes to be won!!

ABOUT THE BOOK

A gorgeous new Christmas story from the author of best selling novel Little Pink Taxi

A flick of a feather duster and a sprinkle of Christmas magic …

Cassie Bell is used to mess. Her cleaning business, Bluebell Cleaning, is well known in the Cumbrian village of Red Moss. However, now it’s almost Christmas and Cassie has a slightly messier situation to deal with than she’s used to.

She’s been hired to help Stefan Lambert, an injured army helicopter pilot who’s staying at the local Belthorn Manor whilst he recovers. Stefan resents Cassie’s interference and is definitely not looking for Christmas cheer. But Cassie prides herself on sparkling surfaces – so, can she bring some festive sparkle to Stefan’s life too?

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon US

Amazon UK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Originally from Lyon in France, Marie now lives in Lancashire with her family. She works full-time as a modern languages teacher and in her spare time she loves writing romance and dreaming about romantic heroes. She writes both historical and contemporary romance and best-selling Little Pink Taxi was her debut romantic comedy novel with Choc Lit. She belongs to Authors on the Edge and writes short stories for the best selling Miss Moonshine’s anthologies. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors. Her native France, as well as her passion for history and research, very much influences her writing, and all her novels have what she likes to call ‘a French twist’ Author on Twitter
Author on Facebook

GIVEAWAY

Giveaway to Win a small canvas purse and a thick notebook (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK 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 Rachel’s Random Resources reserves 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 Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Click here to enter

MY REVIEW

A wonderful and magical story that had me swept about with the history and romance and left me just wanting more!  There was so much going on in this story and I found myself totally submerged in the lives of the characters – and in Cassie and Stefan you have 2 people who are polar opposites but just have that spark, that neither can explain!

Cassie runs a cleaning business and is one of life’s good guys. Always there to help out whoever needs it and a real delight to be around. So when she’s given the job of helping to look after a new inhabitant, Stefan,  at the local manor house, she expects to receive gratitude and thanks.  Stefan really just wants to be left alone so doesn’t take too kindly to being ‘cared’ for – he’s been injured abroad and isn’t up to socialising much so finds it easier to push people away.

Stefan is a wonderful character to explore – seemingly a loner, you know he’s got some history that has scarred him, not only physically, and you wonder if he’s ever going to let his guard down and let people in to help him get through the darker times he has.  In Cassie, he meets someone who is seemingly a people person! She loves to help and is an invaluable member of the local community.  She also has a wonderful bond with her grandfather and their ‘jokes’ are a real feature of daily life!

As Stefan explores the manor he uncovers some diaries of a soldier who was at the manor in 1917, and this was another intriguing twist on the story – I do love a historical theme in the stories I read, and it all makes more sense when Cassie starts reading letters her grandfather gives her and a new story evolves about about what happened in the past.

Add to the past storyline, there’s also a darker element in the present with a number of burglaries taking place which really puts a strain on the villagers as they can’t believe someone could take advantage of them in such a way.

I loved Cassie and Stefan and the way their particular storylines played out – they both had to deal with some harrowing situations but found support when needed, and especially with Cassie who had dreams of a different career and finding out that those she thought she could trust were not quite so honest towards her, you just wondered when she’d get her break.  It gives a good message throughout of being careful who you trust, with some startling things going on that really added shock value.

Loved it!

★★★★★

#CoverReveal IT STARTED WITH A GIGGLE by KIRSTY FERRY @ChocLituk

COVER REVEAL

Hello!!  The Christmas cover reveals are all done so now it’s time to get you planning ahead for 2020 – get your calendars ready and schedule some amazing books that are coming your way!

And the lovely Kirsty Ferry and the team at Choc Lit have let me loose again with another fabulous cover reveal to share with you all!  So here’s a little bit more about IT STARTED WITH A GIGGLE (a title to make you smile!!) before I share the cover!

Sometimes the best things start in the strangest ways …. with a giggle!

On a night out in Edinburgh, single mum Liza-Belle Graham finds herself revealing her hopes and dreams to a green-eyed stranger. Liza always wanted to run an “arty-crafty-booky” business, and she’s seen the perfect empty shop to make her dreams a reality. No harm in telling the stranger. It’s not like she’ll see him again …

But Scott McCreadie is no mystery man – he’s an interior designer looking for new premises. And who does Liza bump into when she arranges a viewing? None other than Scott trying to steal her perfect shop!

Is Liza’s arty-crafty-booky dream in jeopardy, or is a new dream about to begin?

It Started With a Giggle will be published by Choc Lit on 21st January 2020 and will be available to purchase as an eBook on all platforms. It will also be available in audio at a slightly later date.

Are we ready??!  Here it is………

😍😍😍 😻😻😻

A little bit of everything on that cover!!  My calendar has already been marked for the release of this one and hope you’re as excited as I am about reading it!