The Cotswold Cookery Club: A Taste of France

Amazon UK

Publication date 27th September 2017

About the book

Kate Harris has enough on her plate! Life is constant juggling act between raising her three young children and running a busy Veterinary Practice in the Cotswolds. But with her passion for all things French, especially the mouth-watering cuisine, the cookery club with her three best friends, Connie, Melody and Trish is the perfect escape…

Now the foursome has been given their biggest challenge yet! Yet, with her husband Andrew’s increasingly secretive behaviour, the unexpected reappearance of her dishy ex-boyfriend, Gregg, and an unexpected culinary challenge from her daughter’s nursery, Kate decides it’s time to take charge of the disparate ingredients of her life and transform them into the perfect pot-au-feu!

My Review

I love this series so I couldn't wait to get stuck into this book! Back to the Cotswold and this time its based on character Kate.  

Kate has an extremely busy life and on top of that she suspects husband Andrew is having an affair with the au pair, immediately you feel for Kate if her suspicions are true then the affair could have been going on in her house! I had my fingers crossed throughout the book that Andrew was faithful to his wife and they would get their happy ever after! (i'll not spoil it for you whether they do or not).  

Like previous books we were treated to those yummy delicious recipes that the cooking club are making and they just made my mouth water and my tummy rumble! This time the focus was on France!

Another thing that I love about this series is that all the women in the cookery club are there for each other and go out of their ways to help each other no matter what and that is lovely for them all to have that sort of support! 

This is a real fun and exciting series that will put a smile on your face when reading it and you will not want the book to end! It is just fabulous! 

If you would like to read the previous books in the Cotswold series here is the links: 

The Cotswolds Cookery Club: A Taste of Italy (Book 1)

The Cotswolds Cookery Club: A Taste of Spain (Book 2)

I had to get in touch with Alice Ross to ask her the all important question, and this is her answer 😀

Where did you get your inspiration from for The Cotswolds Cookery Club?
I wish I could say it was because I was such a fantastic cook, but I'm totally not.  My husband does all the cooking in our house.  I would, however, love to be one of those people who effortlessly rattle up meals - and always have the necessary ingredients to hand 😉
I wanted to write a series about something that appeals to a wide range of people, and to focus on a different character in each book.  A cookery class was my initial thought, but then my editor suggested a cookery club.  Once I'd researched cookery clubs, I decided it would fit the bill perfectly, and it has. It has allowed me to base the group in a beautiful setting, and introduce a range of diverse characters.  And I'm thrilled people appear to be enjoying reading the books as much as I enjoyed writing them! 

                                             

So there we have it, I really hope you enjoyed this post and it has inspired you all to go out there and read this fun and exciting new series, you will be guaranteed to love it - and maybe a few of us will be inspired to try out and cook up some delicious new recipes! 

No-one Ever Has Sex on Christmas Day

Amazon UK

Publication date 24th October 2017

About the book

Katy’s been stuck in the office away from her family so she wants it all: snow (fake or real), the Michael Bublé Christmas album, whatever it takes. 

There’s only one thing missing as far as her husband Ben is concerned: another baby to complete their family. But Katy isn’t so sure she's ready yet…

Ben may be playing the role of Master Elf in the pre-school nativity but he is struggling to master his own family life. With romantically-challenged friends, an ex who refuses to go away and Katy's mum's 64-year-old toy boy thrown into the mix, Christmas looks like it could be going off the rails… Never mind family planning, can Katy and Ben even plan to make it to the end of Christmas Day? 

My Review
This was the first time I have picked up a book by Tracy Bloom and my goodness I was not let down! I absolutely loved it, I laughed my head of at so many parts it is soooo hilarious! 

The characters Katy and Ben are clearly so in love and meant to be together and they've had a time of it and from what I have gathered they've been through a lot, but they've got through it together and that's what I love seeing couples stick it out and end up so happy.

So of course in this book was going to throw a rock in the works and cause another problem for the pair and indeed it did! If it wasn't Katy's mother it was the prospect of moving to Australia. 

There are so many laugh out load moments right the way throughout the book that keep you hooked and make the book so easy to read. 

I am definitely going to go back and read the previous books in this series and get to know Ben & Katy better because they are absolutely fabulous characters. 

Snowflakes, Iced Cakes and Second Chances

Publication date 12th October 2017

Amazon UK

About the book

Escape to Devon for blustery walks along the beach, hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and proof that miracles really do happen, especially at Christmas. 

A year after she separated from her husband, Gianni, on Christmas Day, Chloe’s heart is still in pieces as she unpacks the decorations for her first ever festive holiday alone. That is, until the phone rings…

It seems Gianni’s new seaside restaurant is in trouble and Chloe must go to Appledore to save the business – and him. Equally famous for his experimental culinary extravaganzas and his explosive temper, Gianni has been really stirring up a sensation with the locals – and not in a good way!

As pans fly and the temperature in the kitchen rises, Chloe’s calming influence and magic touch might just get critics back on side in time to save the restaurant from sinking like a sad soufflé. But will it be enough to save their marriage? 

Chloe came to Appledore in search of her Christmas sparkle, but when the snow clears, will she finally find the way back to her husband’s heart?

My review

There is something warm and inviting about picking up the latest Sue Watson book and what makes even more special is that its a christmas book! 

As in previous books by Sue, this book is based on a strong woman character, her name is Chloe.  Chloe is very easy to love, shes been through a lot and its made her incredibly strong.  That is until she takes the opportunity to work in her Ex husband's latest restaurant in Devon.  After not seeing someone for so long especially after all their history together it is clear that there is chemistry together and a bit of sexual tension between the two and as a reader it makes you think are we going to see Chloe and Gianni get back together again and finally get their happy ever after.  It could go either way, seeing him and working with him again could cause tension and make things worse between them and we could see Chloe flee back to London again.  I loved guessing the whole way through the book what would happen between them.

I loved the character Gianni. I thought he was brilliant, a real feisty Italian stallion you just can't help but have a soft spot for.

This book is set in Appledore, which is the location for 2 of Sue's previous books and has returning characters from them that we know and love.  I love this touch as it makes it familiar for us as a reader to imagine and makes it so easy to read. 

This is a really magical read, absolutely perfect for this festive season

The Christmas Holiday

Publication date 22nd September 2017

Amazon UK

About the book

As winter comes to London, journalist Mia Walker is desperately hoping for her big break as a travel writer, dreaming of exotic locations and sun-soaked beaches. When she’s invited to write a romantic travel piece that ends in a huge winter wedding in London, she jumps at the chance. The only trouble is, the photographer is renowned adventure-junkie Hunter Scott, who Mia last saw five years ago when she ended their engagement.

It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, and Mia knows she’d be mad to say no – even if it does mean spending weeks travelling round the world with the one man she never wanted to see again! But as the wedding approaches, and the magic of Christmas begins to take hold, Mia can’t help looking out for mistletoe – and wishing she hadn’t cancelled her own engagement after all…

My Review

Oh my, The Christmas Holiday is so heart warming and beautiful.  Its a fantastic romantic comedy. 

The characters are really easy to love and you feel like you have known them years. I had a huge smile on my face when Mia is given the opportunity of her dreams as a travel writer, she is delighted but she learns that the photographer accompanying her on the trip is her ex fiance Hunter.  It is really clear that there still is a spark between them and they have plenty of chemistry together, so it is really interesting to see what happens between them if something does happen.

I absolutely loved the holiday itself and hearing of all the places that they visit and the activities that they take part in. Its such an amazing opportunity that they have been given and it made me so jealous. 

The perfect book to curl up with at night.

Last year I started reading Maxine's previous books and I really enjoyed them. I love her style of writing, it is exciting and you really feel part of the stories.  The christmas holiday was every bit like I imagined it to be and I am so excited for future releases by Maxine Morrey.

Blog Tour - Rubies in the Roses

Hello and welcome to my stop on the Rubies in the Roses Blog Tour.  I am delighted to be part of this fabulous tour, there has been some fantastic blogger's taking part and I have loved checking out their stops.

Publication date 30th August 2017

Amazon UK

About the book

Guinevere Evans has a dream summer job: cataloguing books at a castle on a tidal island off the coast of Cornwall. With her perky dachshund Dolly by her side she explores the island’s colourful history, tries fabulous local food and sees the gorgeous sunsets.

But when an old friend of her employer drops in, claiming a rare bejewelled wedding goblet is hidden in the castle gardens, strange events start to take place: several people turn up claiming they have a right to the elusive goblet, and a dead body is found on the beach.

An unfortunate accident, or does this death relate to the struggle for ownership of the goblet? Is there even a goblet?

Guinevere and Dolly dig in and discover plenty of motives to lie, steal and yes, maybe even kill. Can they prove what really happened to the victim and what became of the precious rubies that are at the heart of the mystery?

My Review

Rubies in the Roses is part two in the Cornish Castle Mystery series, and I really think it can be read as a stand alone but I really urge you to read the first book as its a truly fantastic. Part two is very exciting and gripping, and I really enjoyed the whole book.

What I really like the most about Rubies in the Roses is all the guessing and the working out whats going on the suspense throughout was brilliant and the whole mystery plot was wonderfully written and I couldn't put the book down.

I have to say I absolutely loved the character Dolly, she is sure to put a smile on your face and she made the book really fun. Guinevere is also a really great character and very easy to connect with.

This isn't normally the genre of books that I would read but I found this really cosy and easy to read and it has definitely opened my eyes to this genre and made me really want to read more books like this, and I will be reading lots more by Vivian Conroy.

Christmas at Mistletoe Cove

Publication date 22nd September 2017

Amazon UK

About the book

Growing up on Hope Island, Eden Lancaster always believed that if you wished hard enough for something, dreams really could come true. But Eden’s greatest wish is also her biggest secret: she has been completely in love with her childhood friend, the charming and attractive Dougie Harrison, for as long as she can remember. And he has no idea. 

When Dougie leaves his successful life in New York to return home to Hope Island for good, Eden can’t escape her feelings. Her heart is full of hope that her romantic dreams are finally, at long last, going to come true…

This Christmas could change everything. But can a lifelong friendship really turn into the perfect romance? And will Eden get the happily ever after she’s always wished for?

My Review

I was extremely excited to start reading this book, and I wasn't let down it contained everything that I love about Holly Martin book's. 

Firstly that fabulous cover is so festive and magical, as soon as you see it you just want to curl up in front of the warm fire and a huge cuppa and delve right in. 

Then onto the story itself, from that very first chapter you are hooked in and you aren't able to put the book down it is that good. It is another beautifully written romantic book, based on Eden & Dougie.  

They have a bit of a history together, after sharing a kiss when they were young, then Dougie left for America now he is back and they start to spend a lot of time together, its clear they are both in love with each other but they don't want to jeapordise their friendship by admitting their true feelings to each other.  

I really enjoyed the fairytale element to the book, the whole wishing well and the fairy dust made it really exciting and interesting to see if the wishes came true.

I really loved the return of previous characters that I adored from other books by Holly Martin and seeing what they are up to and how their lives have changed, it really makes the book feel familiar and easy to read. 

A real contendar for the best christmas book 2017!

The Woolly Hat Knitting Club

Publication date 25th September 2017

Amazon UK

About the book

When Dee Blackthorn’s brother, JP, breaks both wrists not only is he in need of a helping hand – or two – but the knitting shop he owns can’t function. Sisterly duties take Dee away from her demanding job and she is unceremoniously fired amidst rumours of inappropriate behaviour. Dee is certain that her hot-shot nemesis, Ben, is behind it all but has no proof.

When Dee bumps into an old friend who is new mum to a premature baby she convinces JP to enlist his knitting pals to make lots of tiny woolly hats. Then Ben turns up denying involvement in Dee’s sacking and she ropes him into helping the knitting cause.
But before long Dee’s good intentions backfire and she risks losing her friends, her family and Ben, who’s turned out to be not so bad after all…

My Review

As soon as I saw the cover for this book I knew this was a must read! The cover is bold and really eye catching and makes you want to pick up the book and read it. The Woolly Hat Knitting Club is based on knitting and I really found the whole story something different from the normal sort of stories I have read before. 

The characters are very easy to warm to and I really enjoyed the character ''Dee's'' story.  When we first meet her she is a very busy workaholic that doesn't seem to have any social time to herself, then we see her go through a change and she spends more time with her family and friends and she really becomes a new woman.  I loved how kind and caring she is and how much she turned her brothers business around.

The Woolly Hat Knitting Club is really fresh and modern and very enjoyable.

A Season of Hopes and Dreams

Publication date 11th September 2017

Amazon UK

About the book

It’s been a difficult year for Cleo Jones. The car accident that crushed her leg didn’t just destroy the village baker’s dreams of becoming a dancer, but crushed her confidence too. And recovering from that has been harder than healing from any number of broken bones…

But this season is going to be different. Life is turning around for Cleo! Maybe it’s the invitation from her childhood bully to their high-school reunion that’s shocked her out of a ten-year slump. Or joining Carb Counters and finally starting to shed the weight she’d piled on during her recovery – or maybe it’s catching the eye of her gorgeous personal trainer!

Whatever the answer, this is going to be a feeling she never forgets… watch out world, Cleo Jones is finally fighting back!

My review

From the very beginning of this book I was singing and dancing away, that catchy song 'Cleopatra coming at ya' was in my head and I couldn't stop singing it throughout the whole book.

I absolutely loved the character of Cleo, I just admired her strength and courage as shes had a really rough time and struggled with her weight since the high school bullies called her 'Chunky Monkey'. Then when she comes face to face with head bully Amanda she just puts on a brave face and doesn't show her that she is bothered by what she says when its hurting her, but I think by the end of the book she realises Amanda is just jealous of her and she stands up to her.

Another thing I found really heart warming was the relationship between Cleo and her personal trainer Scott.  He just falls in love with her for the way she is and hes a really kind and caring guy and definitely one that Cleo deserves. He makes her feel good about herself and become a stronger person.  When Cleo is with Scott she really comes out of her shell.

The whole idea of her having a bucket list and seeing her be able to tick things off her list was great. I think bucket lists are fun and thrilling and something we should all do.

I think this book really helps people become aware of problems like bulimia and body dysmorphia and just how people that suffer from them really feel and what they are going through, it certainly opened my eyes to it.

Overall I thought this is a really easy to read fun book that really is a beautiful story, one that just captures your heart from the very beginning.