Tag: Christmas

A Christmas Kiss By Vicky Pattison

A Christmas Kiss By Vicky Pattison

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It’s the perfect season to fall in love.

Amber Raey is working all the hours God sends as assistant to one of the country’s top fashion designers, and her boss is a complete nightmare. But Amber has big plans for her future so, for the time being, she just has to grin and bear it. And then opportunity comes knocking and suddenly she’s on the fast track to the top.

Amber adores her new life, especially as she’s falling in love for the first time too. But soon the glossy exterior starts to slip and Amber begins to wonder if she’s made the right decision entering this world.

Then a face from her past reappears and she finds herself in real trouble. With Christmas fast approaching, Amber is drifting further away from her loved ones. Can she get her life back on track before it’s too late for a merry Christmas?

My Thoughts:

This is my first Christmas book of this year and I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book which came with a few Christmas goodies too. After seeing Vicky Pattison in the jungle and loving her I was keen to see what she would be like as an author.

Even though it is suppose to be a Christmas read only a small section is actually about it, which was a bit disappointing. I did think it was a nice lighthearted read, I loved seeing how good her friends were to her and also there were a few laughs in there too for good measure. This is an author I would read again though.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Kiss-Fiction/

The Parisian Christmas Bake Off By Jenny Oliver

The Parisian Christmas Bake Off By Jenny Oliver

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Welcome to the most celebrated patisserie competition in Paris – ready, steady, bake!

Watching snowflakes settle on the Eiffel Tower, Rachel Smithson’s cosy English village feels very far way – as, thankfully, does her commitment-phobic ex, probably already kissing someone else under the mistletoe. But Rachel hasn’t come to Paris to mope she’s come to bake. Hard.

Because the search for Paris’s next patisserie apprentice is about to begin! And super-chef judge Henri Salernes is an infamously tough cookie. But Rachel isn’t about to let her confidence (or pastry) crumble. She’s got one week, mounds of melt-in-the-mouth macaroons and towers of perfect profiteroles to prove that she really is a star baker.

As well as clouds of flour, and wafts of chocolate and cinnamon, there’s definitely a touch of Christmas magic in the air… Rachel hasn’t come to Paris looking for a fairy-tale romance, but the city of love might gift-wrap her one anyway…

My Thoughts:

I was given this book as a swap, I liked the look of it and it looked like a nice easy read which it was. Yes, I know Christmas has been and gone, I know some people will only read books about or related to Christmas at Christmas time but I really don’t mind reading them whenever. This was such a lovely little read, I had to read something quick inbetween review books so it kind of broke it up for me. I loved reading about all the cakes and bakes the competitors were making. There are also some recipes at the back of this book, which is nice. I may even try and make some myself.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parisian-Christmas-Bake-Off/

The Chocolate Lover’s Christmas By Carole Matthews

The Chocolate Lover’s Christmas By Carole Matthews

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Christmas is just around the corner but the women of The Chocolate Lovers’ Club have more to worry about than present shopping . . .

Lucy loves running Chocolate Heaven but she hasn’t spent time with her boyfriend, Aiden, in weeks. And then her ex-fiance turns up and things become even more complicated.

Nadia hasn’t let herself get close to a man in a long time, yet she can’t help feeling drawn to Jacob. Will he be her last chance for a happy ending?

Chantal and her husband, Ted, are besotted with their baby daughter Lana – but she’s not sure that’s enough to base a marriage on.

Autumn is dealing with a tragedy that has hit too close to home. But when she doesn’t get the support she needs from her fiance, will she look elsewhere for comfort?

Can friendship overcome all in . . . The Chocolate Lovers’ Christmas.

My Thoughts:

All of Carole Matthews books are brilliant, this one was brilliant too. It follows on from Carole’s previous books called ‘The Chocolate Lover’s Club’ and then the second book is called ‘The Chocolate Lover’s diet. I loved catching up with the women from the other two books I feel like I am part of the gang and I wish I was as I could more than happily eat chocolate every day especially in a crisis. I would love to have Lucy’s job but I don’t think much chocolate or cake would be left for the customers as I would probably have eaten it all. A fabulous read that will leave you wanting more. I look forward to the next book.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Chocolate-Lovers-Christmas-Club

For Carole Matthew’s other books, please click on the link below:

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A Wedding At Christmas By Chrissie Manby

A Wedding At Christmas By Chrissie Manby

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This title will be released on November 19, 2015.

 

What comes to mind when you picture a wedding at Christmas? A gorgeous white dress accessorised with a thick velvet cape… bridesmaids in red velvet too? An arch of Christmas greenery: holly and ivy and boughs of fir. Candles and fairy lights. Snow!

Chelsea Benson has just twelve weeks to organise her perfect winter wedding. Her family and friends pitch in to help, but sisterly squabbling, issues with money and an Ice-Queen mother-in-law soon threaten Chelsea’s plans for her big day. And that’s without the firework fiasco…

Rescuing Chelsea’s dream of a proper family wedding might just take all the magic of Christmas..

My Thoughts:

I loved catching up with the Benson family again, there are lots of laughs in this book but also some sad times. I felt rather Christmassy reading this book as it is now not too long till Christmas, I loved the fact the story centred around Chelsea and how she has to cope with his family and his late wife’s family, I did really feel for her at some points. I love Jack and Lily’s relationship and how much mischief they can get in to when they are together. All in all a brilliant Christmas read.

If you would like to purchase the book, please click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wedding-Christmas-Proper-Family

For more of Chrissie Manby’s books, please click on the link below:

http://chrissiemanby.com/

Christmas Ever After By Sarah Morgan

Christmas Ever After By Sarah Morgan

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Skylar Tempest has never understood Alec Hunter’s appeal. So what if he’s a world-renowned historian? He’s also cynical, aloof and determined to think the worst of her. So when a twist of fate finds her spending the lead-up to Christmas with Alec and his family, she’s not expecting the season to be either merry or bright.

Alec has learned the hard way not to trust beautiful women—and Skylar is the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. But as he watches her throw herself into his family’s festive chaos, Alec realises there is far more to this blonde bombshell than meets the eye.

With Christmas around the corner, Alec and Skylar return to Puffin Island, a tentative bond forged between them. Neither intends to fall in love but as the nights become darker, and the fire between them grows hotter, could this be the chance for Alec and Skylar to find their own happy ending?

My Thoughts:

I received this book in exchange of an honest review. This is my first Christmas book of the year which I don’t mind as I can read Christmas books even in the Summer. The cover looks amazing especially with all the glitter, it makes you just want to snuggle up and forget about the world.

I would love to go and visit puffin Island and meet up with all the characters it sounds so much fun. I really enjoyed the storyline and I loved the sound of Alec he sounds like a very nice man indeed. Ahem! I loved the way he helped Sky and the way he was so caring towards her. This is a story full of love, friendship and chemistry that also has some humour thrown in to. I couldn’t put this book down, and I really wanted it to continue. It is well worth a read.

If you would like to have a look at any of Sarah Morgan’s other books, please click on the link below:

http://sarahmorgan.com/books/series/puffin-island/

If you would like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-After-Puffin-Island-Trilogy-ebook

I heart Christmas By Lindsey Kelk

I heart Christmas By Lindsey Kelk

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Angela’s planning her very own fairytale of New York…

• Enormous Christmas tree
• Eggnog
• Eccentric British traditions
• Gorgeous man

But Santa’s throwing her a few curveballs – new job (as if it’s not mental enough already), new baby-craze from her best friend Jenny, and Alex determined they should grow up and settle down. Once friends start turning up uninvited on her doorstep (and leading her astray), can Angela really have a merry little Christmas? So much for happy holidays – something’s got to give…

My Thoughts:

I had never read any of Lindsey Kelk’s books before. I have to say I really enjoyed this book, I managed to read it in two days. It is a nice easy read that deals with real people or should I say women’s problems. Will definitely be looking into reading the other books in this series. Even though it is after Christmas I still found this book enjoyable. Maybe it was a predictable ending but I loved the storyline and I loved the fact I could really relate to Angela. Great characters in a heart warming story.

The Christmas Spirit By Susan Buchanan

The Christmas Spirit By Susan Buchanan

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Christmas is coming, but not everyone is looking forward to it.

Rebecca has just been dumped and the prospect of spending the holiday period with her parents is less than appealing.
Eighty- two year old Stanley lost his beloved wife, Edie, to cancer. How will he cope with his first Christmas without her?
Jacob’s university degree hasn’t helped him get a job, and it looks like he’ll still be signing on come New Year.
Workaholic Meredith would rather spend December 25th at home alone with a ready meal and a DVD box set. Can anything make her embrace the spirit of the season?
The enigmatic Natalie Hope takes over the reins at the Sugar and Spice bakery and café in an attempt to spread some festive cheer and restore Christmas spirit, but will she succeed?

My Thoughts:

With the run up to Christmas not that far away, this book is an absolute delight. This story is centred around the Sugar and Spice Bakery and a lady called Natalie that makes the most amazing cakes from around the world. It is in the bakery that all the characters congregate and interact with one another, which results in positive ways for all involved. This was a big hit for me as it involved Christmas, Cake and a bakery. I found the story left me feeling all warm inside.

Fairy Tale in New York By Nicky Wells

Fairy Tale in New York By Nicky Wells

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

 

 

 

New York. A restaurant near Park Avenue. It’s early evening, and dusk is falling. So is the snow. Jude and Carrie are only killing time while they wait for their flight to London. They don’t know yet that their life will never be the same.

When rock star Jude gets stranded in New York with his family on Christmas Eve, he has no idea that he is setting in motion a chain of events that will turn their Christmas into the most magical one yet…

No good deed goes unpunished, or so it seems to Jude and Carrie on the morning of the twenty-fourth of December. The previous day, they gave up their London-bound flights to someone in crisis. And now, a spectacular whiteout is grounding all planes, and Jude, Carrie, and baby Maya are stuck far from home.

Tired, hungry, and just a little panicked, Jude loads his family into a cab and returns to their hotel. But there’s no room at the inn, and not even a platinum credit card will make a difference. Snow is falling heavily, and the family is facing a very bleak night indeed.

How do you celebrate Christmas with no place to stay, no food, and no presents? Join Jude, Carrie, Maya and a cast of colourful characters in this fairy tale story of Yuletide in New York.

My Thoughts:

I started this book last night and had finished it by this morning. The characters in this book are called Jude and Carrie and I loved them both from the start. You can meet Jude and Carrie in Nicky’s other book called ‘Spirits of Christmas’, you can find out all about how they met in that book, I would suggest reading it as it was as lovely as this book and you get to learn all about how Jude use to be. I loved the plot, it was refreshing to have a change from the normal plots I usually read. Nicky Wells is such a talented author, everyone must read her, you definitely won’t be disappointed.

Spirits Of Christmas By Nicky Wells

Spirits Of Christmas By Nicky Wells

by Hannah ♥ 3 Comments

 

At one time, up-and-coming rock singer Jude had it all: a great band, a platinum record, a loving girlfriend. This Christmas, however, he is well down the road towards spontaneous self-destruction.

Unwitting at first, Jude has progressively alienated his band and driven away the love of his life. Tonight, the night before Christmas Eve, he has broken the final taboo during a disastrous gig. Yet Jude doesn’t see how badly his life has derailed, not until a ghostly procession of legends passes through his bedroom with a series of vivid and powerful wake-up calls.

Will the Spirits help Jude put the friendship, love, and rock music back into his Christmas? Curl up with this festive novella to get yourself into the mood for Christmas…

My Thoughts:

This story had everything you want for a modern take on A Christmas Carol. It makes you feel as if you want to get into the festive spirit, well I suppose it is November already. The main character is a rock star called Jude, at the beginning I found him really annoying but through out the book I kind of warmed to him. I loved the ghosts of Christmas Past as they were some very recognisable stars of the Rock and Roll past. I felt warmth reading this book, escaping away from the daily grind of life. The humour has been written well in this book and the cover makes you feel like you want to snuggle up on a cold,winters day. I look forward to reading more of Nicky’s books.

Dead Romantic By Ruth Saberton

Dead Romantic By Ruth Saberton

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What would you do if you came face to face with a ghost?

Put it down to a bump on the head and work stress if you’re a respected academic like Cleo Carpenter. With Christmas approaching, professional rivalry afoot and a best friend determined to interfere in her love life the strain is clearly starting to get to her.

Guilt-stricken and deceased, Alex Thorne is desperate to make amends with his brother, Rafe, a tortured musician trapped in a spiral of destruction. When an encounter with Cleo forges a link between them she becomes his only hope. So what if the only person who can see him is a sceptic?

As Cleo starts to doubt her sanity, the safe world she takes for granted crumbles around her. Setting out to regain control and prove once and for all ghost’s don’t exist, she embarks on a journey of self discovery and surprise, learning that love really does defy science, logic, and maybe even death itself….

My Thoughts:

I was really pleased when Ruth said I could read and review her book. The blurb sounded interesting and the cover looked really good, like something I would go for. Having not read any of Ruth’s books before I was intrigued to see what they were like by reading this book. I loved one of the characters called Cleo as she has a very interesting job as an Egyptologist, it was fantastic to learn all about it. There is a Christmas theme that runs through this book but it is heart warming and makes you feel very cosy inside. I actually couldn’t put this book down, and I will definitely be reading more of Ruth’s books.