Bookouture Christmas: Interview With Holly Martin & Giveaway

About Holly Martin

Holly emerged onto the Chick Lit scene by winning the Belinda Jones Travel Club short story competition – and has not looked back since. 

Her adult fiction debut, The Guestbook, hit number 5 in the Amazon chart and she has now written three books with Bookouture: Fairytale Beginnings, Christmas at Lilac Cottage and Snowflakes at Silver Cove. 

www.hollymartinwriter.wordpress.com

Interview

1) What's your favourite Christmas memory?

Staying in a house in Scotland over Christmas and it had snowed, so we went sledging and built snowmen. Its the only white Christmas I remember

2) What's your favourite Christmas song?

Anything Christmassy by Michael Buble, his songs are very festive

3) What are your 3 favourite Christmas reads?

Sarah Morgan does the most gorgeous Christmas books so i always look forward to which ever Christmas book she has out. Lisa Dickenson's Twelve Dates of Christmas is brilliant, romantic and laugh out loud funny, Rebecca Raisin also does Christmas so well too.

4) What's the best Christmas gift you ever received?

When i was 5 I was given a puppy called Bob, he was a red setter/border collie cross and he was simply brilliant. He was endlessly patient as I tied bows to his ears and tail. We had him for 16 years and he became a real member of our family

5) What does your ultimate Christmas look like?

The perfect Christmas would have all my friends and family together in one place, in a big house with a roaring log fire and lots of snow outside

Giveaway

One very lucky reader of my blog will receive a signed copy of Christmas at Lilac Cottage together with a Lush Comfort and Joy beauty box and a Christmas at Lilac Cottage book necklace. Good luck!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.

Bookouture Christmas Book Review & Giveaway: One Wish in Manhattan by Mandy Baggot

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Review by Suze

Hayley and her daughter Angel are going to New York to visit Haley's brother Dean. Angel has one wish and that is to meet her father. Hayley met him in New York, just once, and she wants to track him down to tell him about his amazing nine-year-old daughter. Dean works for a big computer company and when he takes Hayley and Angel out for dinner on the first night of their visit they coincidentally meet his billionaire boss Oliver. Oliver is panicking about a heart condition he may have. His father and brother both died and he thinks he's going to be next. Because of that he isn't getting attached to anyone. When Hayley helps him out they instantly like each other, but nothing can come of it, because Oliver isn't relationship material. 

Hayley tries to find work in New York, because she needs some extra money. Soon something unexpected comes her way. She also tries to find Angel's father and to see as much of New York as possible. Her path keeps crossing Oliver's. Secretly Hayley hopes that she'll find something for herself in New York as well as something for Angel. Will this wonderful city make her dreams come true?

One Wish in Manhattan is a story about a woman who hasn't gone out much because she's a single mother. Hayley does everything she can to give Angel a happy life. I really liked that about her. Angel is such a witty and clever person, I loved reading about her. I especially enjoyed reading the dialogue, she says the most funny things. Hayley is so sweet and I wanted her to find some happiness. The same goes for Oliver, he's seriously messed up and deserves a lot of support and plenty of special moments. He's been through enough already and he also has much stress in his life because he has a big company to run. I loved Dean and his partner Vernon as well. The characters are making this story, they're all fabulous.

If you're looking for a romantic and original Christmas novel you should get One Wish in Manhattan. I enjoyed every single page. Mandy Baggot knows how to tell a story. There is a lot of creativity in this book and all of those scenes come to life really well. I could totally picture the beautiful creations and homes. I wanted to go over there immediately to take a look. Everything in this story matches well from beginning to end. It's easy to get into a festive mood while reading One Wish in Manhattan. I highly recommend this fantastic Christmas story.

Giveaway

One very lucky reader of my blog will receive a digital copy of One Wish in Manhattan together with a beautiful butterfly necklace made by Coastal Alchemy. 

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.

Bookouture Christmas: Interview With Sue Watson & Giveaway

About Sue Watson

Sue Watson was a TV Producer with the BBC who combined motherhood and family life with a busy career. However, one day it dawned on Sue that Cosmo magazine may have been telling porkies about 'having it all,' and she realised her life had become a slightly crazed juggling act. So after much comfort eating, soul searching and reality TV watching, she sold her car, cancelled the holiday, bought a flamingo pink laptop and took the plunge as a writer.

The result was Sue's first novel, 'Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes,' a story about Stella Weston, whose life is a constant struggle with the weighing scales and being a working mum, wife and daughter.

The author researched intensely, baking and tasting and baking and ... tasting and... created the fabulous recipe collection of easy but impressive cakes at the back of the book. Sue also gained an equally impressive extra ten pounds on her hips, which to this day she carries with her.

Originally from Manchester, Sue now lives with her husband and teenage daughter in Worcestershire where she is currently writing her third book. When she's not toiling over her latest novel, Sue can be found enjoying large bags of chicken crisps, large tubs of Caramel Chew Chew ice cream and 'The Biggest Loser USA' on series link.

Interview

Hi Suzanne! Thank you so much for having me on your blog. X

1) What's your favourite Christmas memory?

My daughter’s first Christmas! I don’t know who was more excited, her or me. We bought her far too many presents and we both got so excited, she had a whole zoo of furry animals and as it was her first everyone else went mad with gifts too. I’m not sure she really understood what was going on that first time – she just waved her legs about and giggled a lot – and so did I!

2) What's your favourite Christmas song?

So many! I do love ‘White Christmas,’ I remember watching the film with my mum when I was very young. It was Christmas Eve and we ate warm mince pies as it snowed outside and I remember feeling very happy and excited about the next day. Just hearing the song, ‘White Christmas’ always takes me right back to that lovely Christmas memory.

3) What are your 3 favourite Christmas reads?

My favourite reads at Christmas are pretty much the same as the rest of the year. Despite writing women’s fiction I love psychological thrillers and well-written crime novels so am always happy to snuggle up with a glass of sherry and twisted murder on a cold Christmas night.

4) What's the best Christmas gift you ever received?

There are so many, but last year my husband and daughter gave me a framed poster of ‘Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake,’ my very first Christmas book. I was delighted, because the cover is gorgeous with little Christmassy cupcakes on – it’s on the wall above my desk and now I can enjoy it all year!

5) What does your ultimate Christmas look like?

I think my ultimate Christmas would be like Bella’s in Bella’s Christmas Bake Off – on the surface anyway. Bella is ’a TV chef who loves luxury and always enjoys Christmas at her beautiful home in the Cotswolds where no expense is spared and every bauble glistens. But as is often the case, Bella’s Christmas isn’t what it seems – I think we all have an image of what we would love Christmas to be but the reality never quite matches it. I’ll be happy in my own home with my family where the biggest luxury will be the M & S Christmas pudding and all the family round the table.

Giveaway

One very lucky reader of my blog will receive a digital copy of Snow Angels, Secrets & Christmas cake (you can find my review here) together with a handmade felt Christmas cake bauble decoration made by Polly Chrome Crafts. 

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.

Bookouture Christmas Book Review & Giveaway: Snowflakes on Silver Cove by Holly Martin

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Review by Suze

Libby's residence of the moment is White Cliff Bay. She moves around a lot because of her work. She's an author and loves writing romantic stories, even though she doesn't have any real romance in her own life. She's found a new best friend in her neighbor George. His door is always open and they spend a lot of time together. He hasn't dated in years because of a traumatic experience and Libby wants to help him to get back into it. She wants him to find the love of his life...

Amy has several different jobs and she loves them all. She's working at Seb's bar and really likes her boss, but he's a widower and made a promise when his wife passed away, he wouldn't date anyone again. Amy's neighbor was Seb's mother-in-law and they're very close. She doesn't like Amy much and some well meant gestures from Amy that didn't go entirely right make her dislike her even more. Will Amy have a chance at happiness eventually?

Snowflakes on Silver Cove is a wonderful Christmas story about friendship and love. There are two main stories instead of one and that worked really well. I liked them both a lot. Holly Martin's first White Cliff Bay book was funny and I enjoyed it very much. This book is different, there's a little less humor and more seriousness. Together they make a great duo. I love the way she set them at the same time, so several events can be read about from a different angle. They can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend them both.

Holly Martin's writing has matured, she's found an amazing voice. There's a beautiful and clear message in this book, you should be with someone who loves you for who you are. Be yourself and wait for that person to come along. I think this message makes the story special and for me it deserves a little halo. I liked the main characters a lot. George is one of my all time favorites now, he is such a fantastic guy and I really enjoyed reading about his home and his preferences. Snowflakes on Silver Cove will get you into the right Christmas mood, it's cheerful, original, sweet and lovable.

Giveaway

One lucky reader of my blog will receive a digital copy of Snowflakes on Silver cove together with 12 lovely Christmas decorations. 

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.

Bookouture Christmas Book Review & Giveaway: Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale

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Review by Anniek

Abbey is a single mom who's working very hard to make ends meet. She and her little family, her son Max, her mother and grandfather, are very close. Abbey is a nurse and she takes care of Caroline, an old lady who is living in a guesthouse owned by her grandson Nick. Caroline is very fond of Abbey and when Nick needs an interior designer she makes sure that he hires Abbey. 

Abbey's dream has always been to decorate homes. She wants nothing more than to have a better income, so she can take better care for her son and her grandfather who needs more expensive medicine than he is getting now. When the opportunity presents itself to decorate Nick's mansion she is nervous, but up for the challenge. The paycheck is more than she could ever wish for and Abbey is looking forward to give her son the most magical Christmas ever. 

Nick has taken over his father's business after he tragically passed away. He is determined to keep the business a success and to make his father proud. To accomplish this he has turned into a workaholic. His marriage failed because he was never there. Now he has a woman in his house who is full of happiness and doing what she loves to do. With each passing day Nick has more problems with being able to focus on his work. He would rather be outside his office spending time with Abbey and her son Max. Will he be able to find his balance? 

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses is such a sweet classic story, girl from the working class meets millionaire. Abbey really sounds like my kind of person. She is sweet, caring and loves her family and friends dearly. She is the kind of person who gets along with everyone. She also LOVES Christmas. She decorates the whole mansion with Christmas stuff. I could picture each and every room without having to use much of my own imagination. The way Abbey 'fixed' up the house sounds like a true Christmas dream. You could leave me there for all eternity and I would probably never take down all the lights and decorations. Why shouldn't you be able to have a Christmas tree the whole year round? Yes I love Christmas that much!

 Jenny Hale has created a magical story which feels like it was delivered by Santa himself. I read this book in one day and still wasn't ready to let go of this loving feeling. This book will easily be in my top 3 of my all time favorite romantic Christmas stories.

Giveaway

One very lucky reader of my blog will receive a digital copy of Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses together with £10 to spend on Christmas decorations from Lisa Angel. 

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.

Bookouture Christmas: Interview With Mandy Baggot & Giveaway

About Mandy Baggot

Mandy Baggot is an award-winning author of romantic women’s fiction and a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. A contributor to writing blogs and short story anthologies, she is also a regular speaker at literary festivals, events and women’s networking groups.

Mandy loves mashed potato, white wine, country music, Corfu and handbags. She has appeared on ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and auditioned for The X-Factor and lives in Wiltshire, UK with her husband, two children and cats Kravitz and Springsteen.

www.mandybaggot.com

Interview

What's your favorite Christmas memory?

 My favourite Christmas memory is to do with a tradition that happens every year in the House of Baggot. Every single Christmas Eve my husband (Mr Big) heads off to the Chinese takeaway in the village we used to live in (about 5 miles away) and brings back a feast (chicken curry, egg friend rice, chicken balls, curry sauce and chips) and we sit on the sofa in our pyjamas and watch Die Hard on DVD. I don't know why or how this tradition started but it did and it's happening again this year and every year. We tell people we can't go out on Christmas Eve because we have to stay in, eat Chinese and watch Die Hard.

What's your favorite Christmas song?

My favourite Christmas song is Stop The Cavalry by Jona Lewie. I think it's my favourite because it's got that Christmas background sound but is the least cliched Christmas tune of them all. It's about war and missing home! I'm strange I know!

What are your 3 favorite Christmas books?

3) Eeek! I'm not sure! I don't tend to read many Christmas books! I'm too busy writing letters to Santa and preparing for the big day. Think, Mandy, think! Ah! I did read a great one last year. Jenny Hale's A Christmas to Remember. I have to admit I'm more a summer read person.

What's the best Christmas gift you ever received?

I got a trinity ring from Mr Big. It's white gold and it has three stones - two diamonds and a sapphire - and they represent our past, present and future. I never take it off.

What does your ultimate Christmas look like?

My ultimate Christmas would involve all my family and friends together and one massive party. Lots of lovely food and drink, some Christmas music, the children playing happily, just everyone relaxing and having a good time. And obviously, when we're all too full and partied out to move there would be a re-run of a James Bond film!

Giveaway

One very lucky reader of my blog will receive a digital copy of One Wish in Manhattan together with a gorgeous cotton scarf made by Escherpe.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.

Bookouture Christmas: Interview With Jenny Hale & Giveaway

About Jenny Hale

When I graduated college, one of my friends said, “Look out for this one; she’s going to be an author one day.” Despite being an avid reader and a natural storyteller, it wasn’t until that very moment that the idea of writing novels occurred to me.

Sometimes our friends can see the things that we can’t.

While I didn’t start straight away, that comment sowed a seed and several years, two children, and hundreds of thousands of words later, I completed a novel that I felt was worthy of publication. The result was Coming Home for Christmas – a story about friends, family, and the magic of love at Christmas.

Many novels later, I find myself still writing. I am currently at work on my next novel.

Interview

1) What's your favorite Christmas memory?

I have a lot of them. One was when I was in high school when I was around 16, my youngest brother (10 years younger than me) still believed in Santa. After he went to bed, in the dark, I ran around the house with jingle bells so he’d think Santa was on his way.

2) What's your favorite Christmas song?

“All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey

3) What are your 3 favorite Christmas reads?

I don’t have favorite Christmas reads. Rather, I enjoy actually having time over the holidays to read anything! I will pile up a few of the ones I’ve really wanted to read and dig in to those over the Christmas season. Sophie Kinsella is almost always on that list. 

4) What's the best Christmas gift you ever received?

A six-pack of Hoegaarden! I love a good beer. Years ago, we couldn’t find it anywhere and my husband searched all over for it because it was one of my favorites. He found it and put it in a gift bag at the back of the tree. I was so surprised!

5) What does your ultimate Christmas look like?

My ultimate Christmas would have a night out on the town and a trip to New York or London with my husband. But really, time with my family—my husband and my kids—that does it for me.

Giveaway

One lucky reader of my blog will receive a digital copy of A Christmas to Remember together with a lovely Christmas bird necklace made by Janoushka Jewels. 

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.

Bookouture Christmas Book Review & Giveaway: Bella's Christmas Bake Off by Sue Watson

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Review by Tanya

Amy Lane’s husband breaks up their marriage and she is left to deal with the consequences. She does not take the break up well and ends up doing some very silly things in front of her pupils! However her great friend Sylvia takes her under her belt and makes her realise that she is not that bad off. During the start of her recovery she discovers that her old friend Bella, a famous television cook known especially for her Christmas specials, is using her mum’s recipes in her new book and passing them off as her own mum's. Bella and Amy were very close but something happened when they were 17 to break the friendship and it is a long way into the book before you discover why. 

Amy ends up going on Bella’s Christmas special and the meeting of the two characters after so many years was interesting. Part of me didn’t want to like Bella but something about her was vulnerable and that had me feeling for her. I loved the interaction of the two on set and how they contradicted each other. The other characters of Fliss and Crimson add to the tension and caused some giggles as well. The characters of Amy and Bella in the book are very interesting and I loved the way that they changed through the book as you got to know them better and as they opened up to each other.

This is a different and interesting story by Sue Watson that has the Christmas spirit, but I also feel like it can be read anytime. The story line is one that will be of interest to anyone that loves baking and cookery programmes and I loved that real television personalities are referred to in the book. Who doesn’t love the gorgeous Mary Berry? Plus the chapter titles themselves will bring a smile to your face.

I admit I did guess some of the story line, but this did not detract from the book in anyway. Bella's Christmas Bake Off is not an all loving Christmas book, but some of it is and it holds a strong message about the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of being honest to yourself and having good friends.

Giveaway

One very lucky reader of my blog will receive a digital copy of Bella's Christmas Bake Off together with a beautiful Winter Wonderland mug made by JillyJilly Design.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.

Bookouture Christmas Duo Book Review & Giveaway: Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin

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Review by Suze

Penny lives in a beautiful lilac cottage in Whitecliff Bay. Her cottage is remote, which makes her feel lonely sometimes. She has a great home and a wonderful job. She works as an ice-carver and there are always plenty of sculptures to make. The only thing that's missing in her life is company which is why Penny decides to find a tenant for her annex. She hopes someone nice will rent the place, but when she finally meets the person who she's going to share her house with he's moody and grumpy. He immediately makes sure they don't have much contact and doesn't seem to want to have anything to do with her at all. 

Henry and his daughter Daisy are renting Peggy's annex because of Henry's job. He's found a good position and hopes that the change of scenery will be good for his daughter. Daisy loves her new home and she and Peggy are getting along very well. Henry also starts to defrost. So much that he might actually like Peggy, but there's Daisy and he doesn't want his daughter to get hurt. Has Peggy taken a wise decision or is the company she got not the company she wanted to have?

Christmas at Lilac Cottage is a romantic book. The Christmas atmosphere, the beautiful setting and the abundance of coziness are making this a very enjoyable read. What I liked most about the book though is Holly Martin's sense of humor. I laughed out loud multiple times because of all the funny scenes. The villagers are hilarious and the same goes for Penny's fellow ice-carvers. I really liked this aspect of the story.

Penny, Henry and Daisy are all creative people which is something I loved. It was nice to read about their work and about their dreams and plans. They are wonderful main characters. I also loved the people from Whitecliff Bay. Their personalities are all a little bit over the top, which made me smile. Penny and Henry both have pasts, so this book isn't just about the cheerful side of life, there are also serious topics. It was a good balance for me. I enjoyed reading this unique and fun Christmas story very much.

Review by Anniek

Penny lives alone at her Lilac Cottage. Since her cottage is the last house on the hill it can get lonely sometimes. After being betrayed and left by her boyfriend after a tragic happening she keeps herself busy with ice sculpting. She creates the most beautiful pieces for every event in and near her hometown. She gets more requests than she can handle. Attached to her cottage (with a connecting door) is a small annex which Penny wants to find tenants for. When the realtor lets her know the house will be rented to Henry and Daisy Travis she is more than excited. She hopes she can become friends with the couple and is dreaming about sharing an occasional dinner and drinks together.

When Henry arrives at Lilac Cottage he's in a grumpy mood. This was the worst move ever. Everything and anything that could go wrong went wrong. Al he wants to do is put his stuff in the house and be alone. He isn't counting on Penny with her happy and bubbly personality.

Penny is such a sweetheart. She doesn't have a bad bone in her body. I liked it a lot that she turned out tougher than I thought. Although she is the sweetest and kindest person you will every meet she isn't a pushover. Henry and Penny fall in love quickly, but are trying to keep things private because of Henry's daughter Daisy. She has been through a lot and Daisy is Henry's number one priority.

I absolutely loved this story. This book promises you to be the perfect romance book to curl up with in front of a fire. I must say that it delivers every promise. The Lilac Cottage sounds perfect to me and I'd actually want to live there. The way the town has been described is fantastic, all I was thinking is: How fast can I get there... In the small town where Penny lives everyone knows everything about each other. Secrets can't be hidden very long. I believe it's charming to have so many people around you who care and who will be there for you when they are needed. No questions asked. 

Holly Martin did an amazing job, especially with pulling you into her story. I didn't want to put it down. I can't wait for Christmas time to come as it's one of my favorite times of the year. If you are looking for the perfect book to go with your happy and loving Christmas mood then this is your book. It will also be a very good present for under the tree. Whomever will be reading this story will be in for a sweet ride.

Giveaway

Enter this giveaway for a chance to win a digital copy of Christmas at Lilac Cottage together with a beautiful crystal heart necklace made by Fierce2Fancy. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.

Bookouture Christmas: Interview With Fiona Valpy & Giveaway

Christmas interview with Fiona Valpy

Fiona Valpy has written one of my favorite Christmas novels, The French for Christmas. It's a wonderful book and I'm delighted that she's answered my Christmas questions.

1) What's your favorite Christmas memory?

There are so many wonderful moments from when my children were little, seeing the magic through their eyes. But perhaps my favourite was when “Santa” had left a letter, beside the plate of mince-pie crumbs and the carrot with the reindeers’ tooth marks on, saying that he’d got a bit stuck coming down the chimney and the cats had had to help pull him down. The children gave the cats so many extra cuddles that year, as well as a large helping of turkey, by way of saying thank you for rescuing Christmas.

2) What's your favorite Christmas song?

“Joy to the World” – because you can never have too much joy.

3) What are your 3 favorite Christmas reads?

My first is the poem “’Twas the night Before Christmas” which I used to read to my children on Christmas Eve as one of our family traditions.

The other two would have to be books by two of my fellow-Bookouture authors, (and it’s hard to choose because there are so many lovely ones out there): Jenny Hale’s “Coming Home for Christmas” and Sue Watson’s “Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake” are definitely up there.

4) What's the best Christmas gift you ever received?

An engraved silver heart for my charm bracelet from my two sons. I wear it every day. They live at opposite sides of the world now, but I always have that little bit of them with me wherever I go.

5) What does your ultimate Christmas look like?

It definitely features a big, noisy crowd of family; a tree decorated with a colourful mish-mash of ornaments (including home-made ones) with a heap of presents beneath it; a roaring log fire; copious amounts of Christmas baking; a large turkey with all the trimmings, washed down with a bottle of fine French wine; a lot of laughter and a lot of hugs. And the final, perfect, magical touch would be waking up to a deep fall of snow on Christmas morning.

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About Fiona Valpy

Fiona Valpy spent seven years living in France, having moved there from the UK in 2007.

She renovated an old, rambling farmhouse with her husband, developing new-found skills in cement-mixing, interior decorating and wine-tasting.

All of these inspirations, along with a love for the place and the people, found their way into the books she wrote there.

Giveaway:

The winner of this giveaway will receive a digital copy of The French for Christmas together with a beautiful French countryside real flower necklace made by Meeliki Creations. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.

Bookouture Christmas Book Review & Giveaway: Coming Home for Christmas by Jenny Hale

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Review by Tanya

Allison, or better known as Allie, Has just finished her 11 year old job for the same family as a nanny and has had to move back in with her mum. She really wants to use her degree and return to teaching, so is applying for jobs. Her sister Megan is an estate agent and has an idea for a short term job where she will be the house manager of a large manor that is being sold. The current owner needs to work away whilst the house is on the market leaving her in charge of the running of the household and the staff as well as keeping an eye on his grandmother.

Allie decides to apply for the job on a flip of a coin something her and her sister have done since they were young. Allie attends an interview where she meets Robert Marley who is blunt and to the point. Robert Marley is described as being “irritatingly unfriendly” which is a great description. Her new role as the house manager means that she meets the rest of the family who are all very different to each other and are not happy about the sale going ahead. This adds a great element to the book as it’s great to see the interaction between them all. The book also shows how a boy never grows up and that they are perfectly happy to play with toys and join in children’s games.

I liked the bonds that she formed with each of the brothers of Robert and Kip and how honest she was in her approach to Robert asking him to return for the Christmas get together. She shows her caring and great teaching skills with Sloane And her two boys Paul And Sammy really enjoyed the activities that she organised, and I admit if I was still teaching or if my children were younger I would be participating in a few of them. Pippa, the grandmother, is a very intriguing character and she released some very interesting information about Robert and why he is so gruff. I enjoyed how the book is not always warm and cosy reading with the characters showing traits and the usual family rifts.

The twists and turns that happen between the characters kept you interested in the book as did the fact that you wanted to know the background story of the characters which was distributed in little snippets of information. You want the story to end in such a good way and you are never quite sure if that is going to happen.

Although this is a Christmas book you could read this at any time of the year but it does have that special Christmas sparkle if you want to read it during the build-up. 

Giveaway

One very lucky reader of my blog will receive a digital copy of Coming Home for Christmas together with a lucky coin necklace made by Expressionery Pendant.

 
Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.