Wishes Under a Starlit Sky - Lucy Knott

 

About the book:

When life doesn’t go to plan, you can write yourself a new story…

From the outside, Harper Hayes looks like she is winning at life.

She has an amazing job as a script writer, a wonderful house, an awesome best friend and an incredible husband. Yes, life seems to be pretty, dare she say it? Perfect?

But life is about to throw more than one spanner in the works of Harper’s picture perfect existence and at the busiest time of the year too.

As Christmas approaches, Harper will have some soul searching to do to decide if there really is such thing as the happily-ever-after she writes about.

My Review:

A lovely festive treat with themes of heartbreak, friendship and empowerment that really warms the heart and soul. This book emphasises the power of believing in yourself, doing what is best for your own good and surrounding yourself with people who truly care.
Harper deserves a change of luck; her husband betrays her and doesn’t seem to have a shred of decency. In swoops Madi, best friend extraordinaire, who helps put her back together again and is set on getting her back on the right path. 

A year later and Madi takes matters into her own hands, realising Harper needs a shove in the right direction she packs their bags and ships them both off to Colorado – to Harpers parents. 

Whilst she’s with those that she loves, Harper discovers parts of herself she either forgot she had or never explored. She pushes herself out of the comfort zone she’d created. With a new sense of adventure, Harper moves forward and takes opportunity with both hands.
A gorgeous setting that’s written so well you will feel like you right on those Colorado slops. With gorgeous characters, Lucy Knott has given us another brilliant story that’s full of heart and soul. It’s not your typical story either which I really enjoyed – I love a romantic tale but this is something different. 

I’ve enjoyed everything Lucy Knott has written so far and will look forward to the next time.

About the Author:

Lucy Knott is a former professional wrestler with a passion for storytelling. Now, instead of telling her stories in the ring, she’s putting pen to paper, fulfilling another lifelong dream in becoming an Author.
Inspired by her Italian Grandparents, when she is not writing you will most likely find her cooking, baking and devouring Italian food, in addition to learning Italian and daydreaming of trips to Italy.
Along with her twin sister, Kelly, Lucy runs TheBlossomTwins.com, where she enthusiastically shares her love for books, baking and Italy, with daily posts, reviews and recipes.

You can find Lucy on 
Twitter @TheBlossomTwins or @LucyCKnott
Instagram @LucyCKnott

Website: www.theblossomtwins.com

Beautiful, Complicated Family Volumes 1 & 2 - Rosey Lee

Beautiful, Complicated Family: Volume 1 is a collection of five flash fiction stories exploring the connections that can hold people together or tear them apart. Like most families, the relationships in this uplifting collection consist of intricate elements. Sometimes things get messy, but it’s always beautiful. Each story is 1000 words or less each.

Read each story in about 5 minutes and get Volume 2 of the collection for free using a link within Volume 1. The stories are perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary fiction novels as well as those who only have time for a quick read. This collection is filled with relatable characters and endings that pull at your heartstrings, so don’t be surprised if you laugh or cry along the way. The stories in this book include “The Reverse Escape”, “Gran’s Return”, “Wind Chill” (2019 Best of the Net anthology nominee), “To Establish Care”, and “Vocal Rest”.

Beautiful, Complicated Family: Volume 2 

This is the second book in the Beautiful, Complicated Family series. This collection contains five additional flash fiction stories exploring the connections that can hold people together or tear them apart. Like most families, the relationships in this uplifting collection consist of intricate elements. Sometimes things get messy, but it’s always beautiful. Each story is 1000 words or less each.
Read each story in about 5 minutes. The stories are perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary fiction novels as well as those who only have time for a quick read. This collection is filled with relatable characters and endings that pull at your heartstrings, so don’t be surprised if you laugh or cry along the way. The stories in this book include “Hiding Spots”, “Blossom in the Snow”, “The Friendship PIP”, “Christmas Eve Dinner”, and “A Dress Rehearsal”.

My Review:

Beautiful, Complicated Family is a splendid collection of flash fiction; five short stories that really pack a lot of punch and will really giver readers cause to think. The stories take you through a range of circumstances and emotions – some will make you laugh, and some will make you well up with tears. Stories covering love, loss and heartbreak; they are all wonderfully written, so good you will wish they were longer reads.

I’m not used to quick, short reads but this was an ideal introduction and will now be something I will seek more of, especially at Rosey’s hand.

Thank you for this opportunity. I recommend both volumes to all.  

Purchase Links:

The books are free on the US sites below. Prices may vary in other countries:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Apple Books

Kobo

Volume 1 contains a link to get Volume 2 free by subscribing to the author’s website. Alternatively, readers can purchase Volume 2 from their preferred ebook vendor.

About the Author: 

Rosey Lee writes uplifting fiction stories about family and friendship. A native of the Westbank of New Orleans, Louisiana, Rosey is a fan of good food and a good time. As a child, she dreamed of a career in writing, fashion design, and acting. She uses the pen name Rosey Lee as she pursues her passion for writing. Her alter ego is a physician who has dedicated her career to individual and community-based approaches to health equity. She enjoys cooking, flower arranging, listening to live music, and occasional bursts of fanatical bargain shopping.

Rosey’s flash fiction has appeared in Necessary Fiction, Bending Genres, Barren Magazine, Turnpike Magazine, The Wellington Street Review, and elsewhere. Her work has also been nominated for the 2019 Best of the Net anthology. Connect with her at roseyleebooks.com and @roseyleebooks on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

One Week 'til Christmas - Belinda Missen

Two people. One chance meeting. Seven days to Christmas.

Isobel Bennett is waiting for the number 11 bus when a man quite literally falls into her lap. Snow is falling, Christmas lights are twinkling, and a gorgeous man with dark brown hair has just slipped on ice and is now pressed against Isobel.

Isobel knows she’s not imagining the chemistry between them. But then his ride arrives and, embarrassed, he beats a hasty retreat, murmuring apologies – and Isobel realises only too late that she didn’t manage to catch his name…

When she runs into him again the next morning, she decides it’s fate.

It’s a second chance for Isobel and Tom – but there’s only one week until she’s leaving London for good. Seven days of enjoying all the festive delights the city has to offer: ice-skating at Somerset House, mulled wine on the Southbank, Christmas shopping at Liberty.

There’s magic in the air and mistletoe in the trees – but what will happen when the week is over?

My Review:

I really enjoyed this Christmas rom-com, with lovely festive flourishes – you must enjoy some ice-skating shenanigans and gorgeous drool worthy foods.

Our two loved up characters are likeable and well written; it seems an unlikely pairing at first, but I loved getting to know them both. I was expecting Tom to be a big egomaniac and not that great, but I was pleasantly surprised. Isobel was a gorgeous character, I was rooting for her and wanted her to find a happy ending, to stop feeling obligated and do the things that were right for her.

This book is very well written, some lovely descriptions that set the scene very nicely. I enjoyed the atmosphere created by the author. It is full of romance but also some really laugh out loud moments and it kept me thoroughly entertained.

Fab read that I definitely recommend. 

Author Bio:

Author and sometimes foodie, Belinda is a ridiculous romantic who met her husband after being set up by a friend two states away.

Residing in country Victoria, surrounded by books, cat-fur, and half-eaten cake, Belinda divides her days between writing rom-coms, baking, and indulging her love of comic books.

Social Media Links: 

www.belindamissen.com

facebook.com/BelindaMissen

twitter.com/belinda_missen

Instagram @belinda_missen

Purchase Links:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07VXLVLJW/

https://www.amazon.com.au/One-Week-Christmas-Belinda-Missen-ebook/dp/B07VXLVLJW

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VXLVLJW

https://books.apple.com/us/book/one-week-til-christmas/id1475077464?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Belinda_Missen_One_Week_Til_Christmas?id=W4CmDwAAQBAJ

https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/one-week-til-christmas

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-week-til-christmas-belinda-missen/1132755266?ean=9780008296933

A Christmas Kiss by Eliza J Scott

A sparkling festive romance that will warm your heart this Christmas.

The week before Christmas, GP Zander Gillespie finds his festive plans in tatters. He's supposed to be flying out to his parents' chateau in Carcassonne with his high-maintenance girlfriend, Melissa. But she has other ideas. She wants to spend Christmas in London with her party friends - and he's not invited. The prospect of facing his family, with their questions and their sympathy - not to mention the 'I told you so-s' - just isn't an option. Instead, Zander decides to head to his holiday cottage in the quaint moorland village of Lytell Stangdale, where he intends to hide away with his faithful rescue Labrador Alf.

Eighty miles away, Livvie's world has come crashing down. With plans to cook a romantic meal for her boyfriend, she heads home early and walks in on him in a compromising position with their neighbour. Fed-up of his lies and philandering ways, this is the final straw. With her Christmas plans up in smoke, the thought of spending it with her parents and her smug, married sister with her pompous husband in tow, is enough to bring Livvie out in hives. So, when she fires up her laptop and finds the perfect little holiday cottage in Lytell Stangdale available to rent over the festive period, it seems the perfect solution. Or is it...?

Zander didn't believe in love at first sight until he set eyes on Livvie. Livvie had sworn off men until she met Zander. The pair may be reluctant to give in to temptation, but fate seems to have other ideas...

Join Livvie and Zander - and all the usual characters - for a magical Christmas in Lytell Stangdale.

Purchase Links:

UK- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Kiss-Life-Moors-Book-ebook/dp/B07XBSZMQ5/

US - https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Kiss-Life-Moors-Book-ebook/dp/B07XBSZMQ5/

My Review:

It’s always a delight to get tucked up inside one of Eliza’s Life on the Moors series. This is book 4 and a fantastic festive delight to keep us entertained. If you haven’t read any of the previous books don’t worry, this can be read as a standalone, although I know you’ll want to catch up with the rest! If you have been following this series, then you will love catching up with some much-loved favourites.

A Christmas Kiss is a cosy, feel good romance that will have you yearning for log fires, snowy days and a special someone to snuggle up with. It has a beautiful storyline that will warm the cockles of your heart this festive time.

Livvie and Zander our are main characters this time and what a gorgeous coupling this could possibly be. I think they were just destined to be; fate, snow and a wonderfully amusing dog called Alf were all able to play a part. Both had complicated personal lives when they meet by random chance but as soon as they meet, sparks fly and who can stop destiny.

Loved catching up with old favourites, that’s always a bonus about a series, or books set within the same locale. They didn’t take centre stage but played enough of a role to remind us of the wonderful community Eliza has created. Yet again, a place I could see myself really becoming part of – what a fantastic bunch of people.

A very special read, perfect for the changing weather. I enjoyed it so much, I couldn’t read it quick enough. Thank you, Eliza, for giving us another story to capture our imaginations and leave us with a warm, fuzzy heart. 

Author Bio:Eliza lives in a 17th-century cottage on the edge of a village in the North Yorkshire Moors with her husband, their two daughters and two mischievous black Labradors. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book/glued to her Kindle or working in her garden. Eliza also enjoys bracing walks in the countryside, rounded off by a visit to a teashop where she can indulge in another two of her favourite things: tea and cake.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heart-warming stories with happy endings.

Social Media Links: 

Twitter: Eliza J Scott – @ElizaJScott1

Instagram: Eliza J Scott - @elizajscott

Facebook: Eliza J Scott - @elizajscottauthor

Blog: www.elizajscott.com

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/ElizaJScott

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/eliza-j-scott

Amazon Author Page: UK:  www.amazon.co.uk/Eliza-J-Scott/e/B07DMQWPMH

                                          US: www.amazon.com/Eliza-J-Scott/e/B07DMQWPMH

The Christmas Wish List - by Heidi Swain - INCLUDING Q&A!

After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Hattie is feeling lost. Even more so when her high-flying boyfriend announces he’s landed his dream job in Abu Dhabi and asks her to move with him.

Luckily, Hattie’s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember . . . Upon Hattie’s arrival, holiday preparations are in full swing. But for Hattie, whose Christmas cheer has long since run out, it’ll take more than mince pies and mistletoe to open her heart to the season once more.

Relishing the task of reigniting Hattie’s Christmas spirit, Dolly suggests they create a wish list of all the things the season can offer, and with the helpful hands of Wynbridge’s resident handyman, Beamish, Hattie finds her frosty exterior is starting to thaw. As Wynbridge prepares for its most spectacular Christmas yet, will Hattie leave snowy England behind for life in a sunnier clime, or will she in fact realise that her heart’s desire lies much closer to home?

AVAILABLE HERE

My Review:

By now we’ve established I am a #swainette through and through, I am forever looking forward to my next Heidi Swain fix. I can’t help it (not would I want to either) – the wonderful worlds and communities Heidi has created for us all to enjoy; each book feels like a visit to old friends, like we’re catching up with loved ones and how can anyone not want more of that?

I absolutely adored ‘The Christmas Wish List,’ and what wonderful new friends we met! Hattie, Dolly, Beamish all bringing something very special to the festive treat. What a fantastic woman Dolly is, a wonderful friend, support and role model especially to Hattie. She’s a smart woman with the foresight to know what will be best for others before they even realise it for themselves. Her subtle and careful planning ensures the time she has with Hattie will benefit those she truly cares for.

Hattie; I was so pleased when she went to stay with Dolly. She needed her Christmas spirit reignited and there is no other place more perfect than Wynbridge is you ask me. I love how Heidi gives us characters we connect to and want the best for, and Hattie is that typical character. You could clearly see the doubt she had about her “new life” and I hoped that Dolly and Wynbridge would give her the answers she needed about her future.

Beamish is our heart throb and he’s fantastic, he could come and be my local handyman anytime. What a great guy!

I love any trip to Wynbridge and always love mentions of previous characters, we do get a little sprinkling of that in this book but nothing that would mean you couldn’t pick up this and love it wholeheartedly. With themes of friendships, being true to yourself and embracing the things that happen to come your way, this is a read that will stay with you for quite some time.

Festive feelings galore, if you love all this Christmas then this is for you; if you are yet to get in this festive spirit then you should give this one a read. It left me with the warm and fuzzies for a very long time after I’d finished reading. I absolutely loved it.

This is a very special book and will be one of my ‘must read’ festive books every year.

Q&A with the wonderful Heidi Swain: 

I'm so lucky to have the wonderful Heidi as my 100th blog post! Here is a little festive Q&A with our favourite #Swainette. Thanks Heidi!!

"Hello Jenn. Thank you so much for hosting The Christmas Wish List blog tour today. I’m absolutely delighted to be chatting to you about all things festive.

What do you enjoy the most about Christmas?

I’m a HUGE fan of Christmas so it’s difficult to pin down what I enjoy the most. I love that feeling that you get in the run-up to the big day. There’s a palpable sense of excitement as the time ticks by and that, added to the cinnamon spiced scents, the crisp, cold air and the warming drinks and delicious eats make for a heady cocktail!

I love finding the perfect present for someone, snuggling down to watch Christmas films, baking and catching up with family and friends.

Watching Carols from Kings is also high on my enjoyment list. By the time it airs, everything is wrapped, delivered and ready and I find it the perfect way to ease into the joy that is Christmas Eve evening.

I really could keep writing forever. I love it all!

Do you have a favourite festive read?

I certainly do. Actually, it’s two… is that allowed?

I always start December in exactly the same way, by reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In fact, I love it so much, I always end up reading it again nearer to Christmas day. I have a beautiful hardback edition, a paperback and an e-book so wherever I am at the start of advent, Mr Dickens is always within easy reach.

My other favourite festive read is Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley. I know I’m not alone in loving this book and the warm and cosy winter feelings it evokes. It’s always on my nightstand at Christmas.

How did you get in to the festive spirit when writing The Christmas Wish List so early in the year?

I really don’t tend to find writing out of season a problem. I can conjure Christmas in my head at any time of year. That said, I do like to get my planning – or most of it – done during the corresponding season. For example, right now, I’m not only working on the edits for The Secret Seaside Escape, I’m also thinking through and making notes for my next festive title.

There are still certain days when a scented candle, a Michael Bublé CD and sniffing a jar of mincemeat comes in handy though!

Describe your perfect Christmas day.

My perfect Christmas day is very simple.

The day begins with opening stockings in bed, followed by a smoked salmon and poached egg breakfast combo. After that, there’s lunch to cook with Classic FM on in the background and numerous telephone calls to and from family and friends.

After the ridiculously large meal, the presents under the tree are opened and enjoyed and then a highly competitive boardgame is played before tensions are diffused in front of a festive film or two with an accompanying glass of fizz.

The day ends with yet more food, a long hot bath and a brand-new book.

A simple day, but perfect nonetheless!

You include Dolly and Hattie’s Christmas Wish List at the end of the book, would this be similar to your own wish list?

Absolutely! I love that list so much. Although I’m not sure about the ice skating. That’s something I’ve never tried before, so maybe I should. What do you think?

And the final thing on the list, number 12 – drink mulled wine or hot chocolate – that’s a typo, surely? I really think it should read – drink mulled wine and hot chocolate!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Heidi Swain is the Sunday Times bestselling author of nine novels. She lives in Norfolk with her husband, two allegedly grown-up children and a mischievous black cat called Storm. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside and collects vintage paraphernalia.

To find out more, follow Heidi on twitter @Heidi_Swain or visit her website: www.heidiswain.co.uk.

Coming Home to Winter Island by Jo Thomas

Wrap up warm and prepare to explore the breath-taking beauty of a remote Scottish island and an old house waiting to unlock enchanting family secrets.
Ruby's singing career is on the verge of hitting the big time, when her voice breaks. Fearing her career is over, she signs up for a retreat in Tenerife to recover. But an unexpected call from a stranger on a remote Scottish island takes her on a short trip to sort out some family business. It's time to go and see the grandfather she's never met. City girl Ruby knows she will be happy to leave the windswept beaches behind as quickly as she can, especially as a years-old family rift means she knows she won't be welcome at Teach Mhor. But as she arrives at the big house overlooking the bay, she finds things are not as straightforward as she might have thought. There's an unexpected guest in the house and he's not planning on going anywhere any time soon ...

Purchase Here

My Review:

Another of my absolute favourites, Jo Thomas always delivers a fantastic read that will transport you to amazing places with wonderful characters and brilliant story lines.

Ruby, unable to do what she loves and sing, finds herself on a journey of discovery – of how to make a very special gin but also in discovering who she really is, where she came from and importantly what she is capable of.

I adored the picturesque sounding Winter Island, described so well by Jo, I could really picture every aspect of the close-knit community. Yet another fantastic location for this book, which has become synonymous with every Jo Thomas book.

Aside from Ruby, who is a fantastic character and her rollercoaster relationship with Lachlan, I adored Hector and thought the inclusion of how he was suffering from Alzheimer’s but had periods of lucidity through music was absolutely breath taking and so emotional. As someone who has watched loved ones suffer, this hit home hard but thought it was written in the most tender, touching ways plus Hector is quite the mischievous character and added some extra heart to the story.

Such an eclectic bunch of characters within the community, moments of hilarity and then a rollercoaster of emotions. There are some interesting surprises and little twists that I didn’t expect, I think Jo Thomas is an absolute diamond for telling a story with such heart and soul, always with something delicious to tempt us with.

I couldn’t put this book down, as with every one I read from Jo. I couldn’t recommend this one any more to everyone that loves a great story with lovable characters, perfect to cosy up with.