The French Chateau Dream - Julie Caplin

 

The French Chateau Dream

When wedding planner Hattie signs up for her dream job, organising her cousin’s wedding in France, it offers the perfect escape from a relationship that’s been going south for a while.

Unfortunately when she arrives at the idyllic Chateau St Martin, not everyone is as enthusiastic about the forthcoming wedding, including Luc Bremont, son of the owner of the chateau. 

Luc has finally been given the chance to make his own champagne at the family vineyard and everything rests on making it a success, the last thing he wants is the distraction of a big wedding at the chateau.

Will Hattie be able to build bridges between the inhabitants of the chateau in order to allow the wedding to go ahead?

My Review:

If I need a book that will lift my spirits, fill me with dreams of beautiful settings, give me mouthwatering descriptions of foods and drinks and of course, fill my heart with romance, I know I can do no better than pick up one of Julie Caplins romantic escape books. The French Chateau Dream is the 10^th in this series and if full of sunshine, dreams and of course, romance.

Hattie, oh Hattie, is a great character. We briefly met her in ‘The Christmas Castle in Scotland’ and now she’s heading to France to a Chateau as a wedding planner for her cousins upcoming nuptials. Fresh from a relationship break up, Hattie really wants to prove she is capable of planning this wedding, keen to establish her business she is determined to make this a success.

Arriving in France, Hattie meets Luc who lives at the Chateau and is keen to start making champagne again. He isn’t altogether on board with the wedding but knows they need the money if he is to make a go of things at all. Hattie is a force to be reckoned with in her own way and I admired her tenacity, especially when she comes up against sabotage. It is evident who is to blame but Hattie can more than handle herself.

Hattie falls for the chateau, is quite keen on the gorgeous Luc and starts believing that she could achieve what she has always wanted but knows her time there is limited especially when a face from the past pulls on her heart strings once again.

I absolutely adored reading this one, location, characters, storyline – all fantastic. I didn’t want to put it down but didn’t want it to end. I love this series as you can read any one at any time, but for those, like me, that love to read things in order you will spot the cameos from previous stories and it is great to catch up them even for a moment.

There would never be a time I didn’t champion any book by Julie/Jules – an author that enables the reader to have a true connection to the characters, where we feel like they are just like any of us and that we want the best for them – like a friend.

Julie/Jules’ books are familiar, like a comfort blanket or a ray of sunshine on a grey day. The French Chateau Dream is a gorgeous read, perfect for this summer by the pool, in the garden; highly recommended.

Author Bio:

Julie caplin, formerly a PR director, swanned around Europe for many years taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. 

These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the highly successful Romantic Escapes series which have hit the best seller charts in Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic and have sold a million copies worldwide.

The first book in the nine strong series,The Little Café in Copenhagen, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Social Media Links – @JulieCaplin Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/JulieCaplinAuthor/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/juliecaplinauthor/

A Bookshop Christmas - Rachel Burton

 

A Snowstorm. A stranger. A Spark. It should be the perfect start to the perfect love story.

But real life is far messier and more complicated than in the pages of the books in Megan Taylor’s family bookshop – the last few years have left this young widow in no doubt of that. Moving back home to York should have been a fresh start, but all it did was allow her to retreat from the world.

When prize-winning author Xander Stone rams his supermarket trolley into her ankles and then trashes her taste in books, Megan is abruptly awoken from her self-imposed hibernation. It’s time to start living again, and she’s going to start by putting this arrogant, superior – admittedly sexy – stranger in his place. Just as she is beginning to enjoy life again, the worst happens and Megan begins to wonder if she should have stayed hidden away. Because it turns out that falling in love again is about more than just meeting under the mistletoe…

My Review:

A bookshop, Christmas, and some romance – is there anything more you could possibly need?

I loved curling up and enjoying this festive, heart warming treat.

Full of heart, character and a sprinkling of seasonal delight, I found myself wishing to spend time in the bookshop as well as learning everything for the party, it sounded like such fun. I loved the story between Megan and Xander, both alike and wary of letting anyone close. I could fully understand Megans frame of mind, having been there myself, and my heart went out to her every step of the way. It is difficult to move forward when part of you will always be stuck in the past.

Xander was more complex and harder to take to heart but what a team he and Megan made. I was rooting for them, yes as a couple, but for each individually as well. Both deserved to be happy.

There are a fab cast of characters who will really entertain, some needed light hearted relief at times.

A very enjoyable tale that book lovers, and romance fans, will thoroughly enjoy this Christmas. 

About the Author:

Rachel Burton has been making up stories for as long as she can remember and always dreamed of being a writer until life somehow got in the way. After reading for a degree in Classics and another in English Literature she accidentally fell into a career in law, but eventually managed to write her first book on her lunch breaks. Now she writes from a small bedroom looking out over hydrangeas, lavender bushes and rambling roses, in a little house in Yorkshire that she shares with her husband and their three cats. She loves words, Shakespeare, tea, The Beatles, dresses with pockets and very tall romantic heroes (not necessarily in that order).

Find her on Instagram as @RachelBWriter or follow her blog at rachelburtonwrites.com.
 
Follow Rachel:
 
Twitter: @RachelBWriter
 
Facebook: @Rachelburton74
 
Instagram: @RachelBWriter
 
#ABookshopChristmas

When prize-winning author Xander Stone rams his supermarket trolley into her ankles and then trashes her taste in books, Megan is abruptly awoken from her self-imposed hibernation. It’s time to start living again, and she’s going to start by putting this arrogant, superior – admittedly sexy – stranger in his place.

Just as she is beginning to enjoy life again, the worst happens and Megan begins to wonder if she should have stayed hidden away. Because it turns out that falling in love again is about more than just meeting under the mistletoe…

Things are looking up - Maxine Morrey

 

What if what you really need is right there in front of you, if you just take a moment to look up?

Milly has been waiting for this moment forever and finally it’s just an hour away – an interview with Vogue magazine and the opportunity to get her Louboutin-clad foot in the door.  There’s just one problem – totally engrossed in her mobile phone, Milly doesn’t see the bus that is fast approaching – until it’s too late…

When Milly next opens her eyes, the consequences of her accident become clear. Everything she has worked for and dreamed of suddenly feels out of reach. But there is one bright spot on her horizon – the reappearance of her ex Jed, in all of his six-foot-four, broad-shouldered glory, with the most piercing ice blue eyes Milly ever saw.

Once used to working in a whirlwind, Milly now has the chance to reconsider how to live. Will she rush back to the treadmill, get her head down and back to business, or is there a whole other life waiting for her, if she’ll just look up to see it? 

‘Read yourself happy’ with Maxine Morrey’s latest uplifting, page-turning, heart-warming romance, guaranteed to brighten up your day.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3aSlHxI

My Review:

Ever felt like you’ve been hit by a bus? In this fun, life-affirming read by Maxine Morrey we meet Milly who does get hit by a London bus and lives to tell the tale. This story is how she takes stock of her priorities, realises what she has been missing and learns to see the beauty around her instead of striving for some out of reach, and quite frankly superficial, position.

Milly, a workaholic, has spent years with her head in her phone, scrolling through the latest fashion and society news. In a rush and not focusing on the goings on around here, her life changes in the blink of an eye.

Coming round in hospital, she is greeted by loved ones, her brother, and his family. Devastated she has caused so much pain, she vows to make changes.  She is beside herself when she spots a familiar face by her side, and not one she welcomes – her ex, Jed. Hot, rich and wanting to help, Milly needs to get over herself and let him be a shoulder for her to lean on during her recovery.

Things are looking up gives a gorgeous tale of second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. It is full of interesting little moments that will take you by surprise, and the addition of Hector is a massive turning point.

Gently paced, I don’t feel anything is rushed nor strung out too long. I liked all of the characters (bar the one’s we are meant to dislike of course!) and Jed, well, he sounds far too good to be true but we can all dream can’t we!

I would love to see a return to Milly and Jed’s story, I feel like there could be more to explore. A highly enjoyable, fun read that’s perfect for summer.

Author Bio:

Maxine Morrey is a bestselling romantic comedy author with ten books to her name including Winter’s Fairytale and the top ten hit The Christmas Project. Her eleventh book is being released by Boldwood in 2021. She lives in West Sussex. Her first novel for Boldwood, #No Filter, was published in November 2019.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaxineMorreyAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Scribbler_Maxi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scribbler_maxi/

Newsletter Sign Up Link: http://bit.ly/MaxineMorreyNewsletter

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maxine-morrey

A Taste of Home - Heidi Swain

 

Fliss Brown has grown up living with her mother on the Rossi family’s Italian fruit farm. But when her mother dies, Fliss finds out she has a family of her own, and heads back to England with Nonna Rossi’s recipe for cherry and almond tart and a piece of advice: connect with your family before it is too late…

Fliss discovers that her estranged grandfather owns a fruit farm himself, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, and she arrives to find a farm that has fallen into disrepair. Using her knowledge gleaned from working on the Rossi farm and her desire to find out more about her past, Fliss rolls her sleeves up and gets stuck in. But what will she discover, and can she resurrect the farm’s glory days and find a taste of home…?

My Review:
Whenever I want a gorgeous, comfortable read from an author I adore I know I can always rely on Heidi to provide a hug in book form. Always warm and cosy, Heidi's books are special and leave you feel all emotional and fuzzy. I have been a huge fan for the longest time now and I always look forward for my next ‘fix’ #Swainette for life here.

‘A Taste of Home’ is a gorgeous, summer filled read that will have you craving strawberries like never before.
We meet Fliss after the death of her Mum, surrounded by her Italian ‘surrogate’ family. A letter from her Mum details last wishes that Fliss reconnect with family she never realised she had. So, a trip to the UK and our wonderful Wynbridge is quickly organised.

What Fliss discovers is so much more than she ever imagined, and I won’t spoil it and say too much but this book just highlights the importance of family and understanding where you come from. Although we haven’t met the majority of these characters, they are now firm favourites, and I can’t wait to see them again; you also come across some old favourites too which is always nice. Don’t worry – if this is your first Heidi Swain book, it is a standalone book, but I do recommend all her previous books as they are fantastic.

‘A Taste of Home’ is full of heart and emotion. It will make you laugh; make you cry and will leave you feeling content. I highly recommend, it will make the perfect summer beach read, cosy on up and take a trip to Wynbridge via Italy.

Purchase 'A Taste of Home' - HERE

About Heidi Swain:

Sunday Times Best-selling author with a passion for vintage, hearth & home.

Creating wonderful communities and characters. Find out more -

Website: https://heidiswain.co.uk/

Check out the blog: http://heidiswain.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterHeidiJoSwain

Q&A with MJ Mallon

 Welcome to The Comfy Chair Blog...MJ Mallon

Bio:

My alter ego is MJ - Mary Jane from Spiderman. I love superheros!

On the 17th of November I was born, in Lion City: Singapore, (a passionate Scorpio, with the Chinese Zodiac sign a lucky rabbit.) My early childhood was spent in Hong Kong. During my teen years, my parents returned to my father’s birthplace, Edinburgh, where I spent many happy years. As a teenager, I travelled to many far-flung destinations. It’s rumoured that I now live in the Venice of Cambridge, with my six-foot hunk of a Rock God husband. My two enchanted daughters have almost flown the nest, but often return with a cheery smile to greet me.

During the day, I work in an international sixth form with students from around the world. I’m the meet and greet lady who welcomes them to their new college and issues them with late slips when they don’t get to their lessons on time!

I write YA fantasy, paranormal, horror/supernatural short stories, flash fiction and short form poetry. More recently, I have produced and compiled an anthology/compilation set during the early stages of COVID-19 entitled This Is Lockdown.

I’ve been blogging for many moons at my blog home Kyrosmagica, which means Crystal Magic. From time to time I write articles celebrating the spiritual realm, inspiration and my love of nature, crystals and all things magical, mystical, and mysterious.

My eclectic blog shares my three loves: reading, writing, and creativity. I adore reading and have written over 150 reviews on my blog: https://mjmallon.com/2015/09/28/a-z-of-my-book-reviews/

1.      What was your favourite childhood book/author? 

My favourite childhood author was C. S. Lewis.  I adored The Chronicles of Narnia, and to this day I adore reading and writing about fantastical and magical worlds. I also had a fondness for comic books such as Tintin, Asterix The Gaul and a lesser known Scottish comic strip Oor Willie! 

2.      What inspired you to start writing and how long has it taken you to get to this point? 

I’m drawn to three inspirational forces: art, clocks, and nature. The structural artworks that inspired me to write The Curse of Time are situated in two different capital cities that I love: Anya Gallacio’s crystal grotto in Juniper Artland, Wilkieston, Edinburgh and the Corpus Christi Chronophage clock in Cambridge - King’s parade.

I’m also inspired by the beauty and mindfulness of nature with frequent wanders in the botanical gardens in Cambridge -  these feature in my poetry, prose and photography collection: Mr. Sagittarius.

I have a day job which restricts my writing time and am easily distracted! My writing journey has been long and eventful. I started blogging and writing about six years ago.

 3.      Describe your writing space - neat and ordered or creative chaos? 

Creative chaos! That sums me up. I have to be organised in my day job, but at home I am the complete opposite.

4.      What is the easiest and hardest part of the writing process? 

The easiest and most fun part is the writing. The hardest part is editing and formatting. I hate editing the most; it frustrates me so much.

5.      Which other authors are you influenced by?

Philip Pullman, Jay Kristoff, Victoria Schwab

6.      What does literary success “look” like to you?

It’s reading wonderful reviews and selling copies, both here and abroad. I’m a contented person, so I am happy to continue growing and gaining new readers. I think I would shy away from fame and fortune!

7.      How do you select the names of your characters?

My youngest daughter Georgina insists she chose my characters’ names in The Curse of Time! With Mr. Sagittarius, I decided to write about a mythical zodiac character, Mr. Sagittarius. The names of the three siblings, the identical twins: Harold, William and their sister Annette just seemed to fit.

8.      Do you hide any secret ‘messages’ in your book that only a few people will understand? 

No, maybe I should? I’ve never tried this. I once wrote about a boss that really annoyed me in a horror short I wrote. It was quite therapeutic.  

9.      If your book was to be made into a film/TV programme, which actors would play which role? 

For The Curse of Time - Candice King would play the main female character, Amelina. The male antagonis - Ryder  - maybe Bill Skarsgard.Ryder is more difficult to cast!

For Mr. Sagittarius - Perhaps someone quirky like Jim Parsons

10.   What do you hope your readers take away from your book?

With, the Curse of Time, I’d like my readers to be immersed in the fantasy setting and to be curious to find out what happens to poor Amelina and her family who have fallen prey to a dreadful curse.

In Mr. Sagittarius, the emphasis is very different. This is a light-hearted, magical, whimsical, and humorous read. The underlying themes are the circle of life, family, love and magic!

My latest release, This Is Lockdown, is a collection and anthology set during Lockdown. This anthology/memoir shares my diaries, poetry, photos and flash fiction during this time, and the thoughts, fears, and hopes in poetry, writing and flash fiction from international writers, bloggers and creatives. 

Lastly, Jenn (The Comfy Chair) likes to enjoy a good read snuggled up with a cup of tea and piece of cake... what cake or sweet treat would you suggest to accompany your book? 

 
Oh, you left the most difficult question to last. I love to bake. I’d choose a home made slice of lemon drizzle cake, which I made during lockdown. It was very tasty!

Published Books:

The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone (YA Fantasy)

Mr. Sagittarius - Poetry/ Prose and Photography

This Is Lockdown - My personal diaries, contributions from international authors on the subject of lockdown in poetry and writings, plus my poetry, flash fiction and photography.

I am also a contributor to various anthologies which are all available via my

Author Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L/

The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone

A unique, imaginative mystery full of crystal magic-wielding, and dark elements.

Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl Esme who’s imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house. When an unexpected message arrives inviting Amelina to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden pathway where she encounters Ryder, a charismatic, but perplexing stranger. With the help of a magical paint set, and some crystal wizard stones, she discovers the truth about a shocking curse that has destroyed her family’s happiness. A magical YA/paranormal fantasy with dark elements set in Cambridge, England.

Mr. Sagittarius

Twin brothers Harold and William love the magic of the natural world.

When Harold dies he leaves a simple memorial request.

Will his brother William and his sister Annette honour it?

Or, will the garden work its magic to ensure that they do.

This Is Lockdown

This anthology and compilation is for everyone wherever you live in the world. We are all experiencing the impact of COVID-19 and lockdown. As writers, bloggers and creatives we express our thoughts and opinions in writing: in heartfelt poetry, pieces on isolation and the impact of COVID-19 and the ‘new normal.’ There are twenty-eight talented contributors, including the creative NHS Mask Making Fundraising Team of Jane Horwood and Melissa Santiago Val. The contributors come from as far afield as Australia, Canada, USA and Zimbabwe, or closer to my current home in England - in Ireland, Scotland and Italy.

It is as Willow Willers, a contributor, said, ‘A piece of living history.’

Social Media:

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook #ABRSC:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon 

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Published Articles:

Feature and Excerpt for The Curse of Time: https://issuu.com/electricpress/docs/epnovember2020

Feature for This Is Lockdown: https://lightboxoriginals.com/difficult-times/

Feature for Mr. Sagittarius: https://lightboxoriginals.com/lollipop-leaves/

Poetry: https://spillwords.com/the-magic-of-the-dragonfly/

Feature about Prologues: https://sachablack.co.uk/2018/04/08/prologues/ 

For Better, For Worse - Jane Issac

Stuart Ingram was once a respected local councillor...

The first time the police knocked on Gina's door, they arrested her husband.

The second time, they accused him of child abuse.But he died a guilty man.This time, the police are here for Gina – to tell her that her husband is dead. Murdered, just two weeks before his trial.Gina always stood by her husband. Even when everyone else walked away. She believed the trial would clear his name. But now Stuart is dead.And his wife is the suspect.It's a race against time for DC Beth Chamberlain to uncover the truth – especially when a second man turns up dead.

Domestic noir meets police procedural in this pacy thriller from Jane Isaac, perfect for fans of Samantha Downing, Fiona Barton and K.L. Slater. Previously published as Presumed Guilty.

My Review:


The second book featuring DC Beth Chamberlain, as I hadn’t read the previous book I was going in blind. I didn’t know anything about who she was etc, but I don’t think it mattered that much really.

Disgraced ex-local councillor Stuart Ingram, is run over and murdered just before his case goes to trial. He was fighting to clear his name in child abuse allegations. The main suspect is his wife Gina, until another victim is discovered, and it is very clear someone more sinister is at work and needs stopping.


Admittedly I found it a little slow going at first – but I found once we got into the ‘action’ the pace picked up and I was fully on board.


I liked Beth’s character. She is hardworking, dedicated and genuine in her approach to apprehending the murderer although not always the one to ‘tow the line’, she is wanting the right result.


It’s an action packed read, I’m not necessarily one for police procedural type books but this one caught my attention. It is dramatic, has a few twists that leave us readers with a whole host of possible suspects that we must eliminate one by one as the story progresses.


There is a good balance between Baths having to solve these heinous crimes whilst also sorting out her own personal problems. I enjoyed getting to know this character and would welcome reading about her again in another book.


One to recommend for sure, with drama, crime and a host of complex characters, this is a brilliant book with realistic and understandable police investigation at its heart. With such fantastic writing by the author you will be hooked in and will not want to put it down until the case is solved.

Pre-order links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2GWY5IE

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2GSHMfT

iBooks: https://apple.co/2ucWb3Q

Google Play: https://bit.ly/382jhIP

About the author



Jane Isaac is married to a serving detective and they live in rural Northamptonshire, UK with

their daughter, and dog, Bollo. Jane loves to hear from readers and writers. You can reach her via her website at www.janeisaac.co.uk Sign up to her book club at http://eepurl.com/1a2uT for book recommendations and details of new releases, events and giveaways.

Follow Jane:

Facebook: @JaneIsaacAuthor

Twitter: @JaneIsaacAuthor

Website: www.janeisaac.co.uk