The Christmas Castle in Scotland - Julie Caplin

 

The Christmas Castle in Scotland

Izzy McBride had never in a million years expected to inherit an actual castle from her great uncle Bill but here she was, in the run up to Christmas, Monarch of her own Glen – a very rundown glen in need of a lot of TLC if her dream of turning it into a boutique bed and breakfast was to come true.

But when Izzy’s eccentric mother rents a room to enigmatic thriller author Ross Adair and the Scottish snow starts to settle like the frosting on a Christmas cake, it’s a race to get the castle ready before they’re all snowed in for the holidays.

Purchase Link:

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Castle-Scotland-globally-bestselling-ebook/dp/B09NZ5BRP9

US - https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Castle-Scotland-globally-bestselling-ebook/dp/B09NZ5BRP9

Christmas cosied up in a great castle in Scotland? YES
PLEASE!
I absolutely adore every book from Julie Caplin, every
location and story incite the feelings of wanderlust within me and I wish I
could be right there and this is no exception, in fact I think it’s the one I
really do hope I can do one day. 
I did not want this story to end (I never do), I think
this is the best yet – the setting, the characters, plot and Julies’ wonderful
writing style is like a comfort blanket, hugging you, keeping you warm and
right in the thick of the action. 
I love the characters especially as they are such an
eclectic bunch; each have their own personality and it is easy to picture them
(or in Duncan’s case hear their accent!) 
Izzy is our leading lady and we have met her briefly in
the last book (it isn’t a series as such so you can read this without any of
the previous books – although I highly recommend you do!) and she has inherited
a castle in Scotland she is hoping to turn into a hotel. Doing this alongside
an eccentric (but loveable) Mum who has rented out a room to a writer, without
Izzys knowledge of course. This writer is paying for peace and quiet although
it soon becomes apparent; he is getting more than he bargained for. 
Getting the hotel ready in time for the festive season 
(and another booking taken by Izzy’s Mum) means a real team effort and a lot of
soul searching by all involved. As everyone pulls together and becomes a unique, 
slightly dysfunctional family unit we see them overcoming adversities in all
aspects of their lives. 
As always this is a story with romance at its core, but
don’t expect smooth sailing, there is drama and tension thrown in as well but
with ups and downs will every character find a positive ending? 
I wish we could go back and revisit, just to see how they are all getting on. 
It’s a wonderful, cosy read and I cannot praise Julie enough.
Author Bio:

After reading English at the University of East Anglia, Julie Caplin, who also writes as Jules Wake, worked in PR where she honed her fiction writing skills on press releases. Her regular press trips to Europe while working on food and drink accounts inspired the Romantic Escapes Series, which have been sold to 19 territories and are best sellers in Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

She’s now a full-time author and what better job is there than making stuff up! It certainly beats housework.

Social Media Links – @JulieCaplin Twitter

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

Instagram @juliecaplinauthor

The Italian Job - Kathryn Freeman

 

Dream job. Dream house. Fake fiancé. 

A year in a gorgeous Italian castle…

When Anna Roberts’ life implodes, an online search leads her to an ad for the ultimate dream job – management of a gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Como, accommodation included. The only catch? Anna can’t do it alone…

…With the last man on earth she’d choose!

The castle owners will only accept a couple as caretakers, which means Anna needs a man on her arm at the interview. Enter her neighbour, Jake Tucker. Though Anna and Jake have never seen eye-to-eye, Jake’s had a rough few years and an escape to Italy sounds ideal. Yet, when they get the job and jet off, Anna and Jake face an unexpected challenge. Pretending to be a couple is difficult … but pretending the tension simmering between them doesn’t exist is quickly proving impossible!

My Review:

A castle in Italy? Enemies to lovers? TICK AND TICK for me.
This is the story of Anna and Jake, neighbours who have never really seen eye to eye but now have to rely on each other to make their dreams come true. Anna is cheated on, losing both the love of her life and her job. She is told to find her “dream job” and she does just that – managing a castle in Italy. Her dream job doesn’t come easily though, there is a catch; applicants must be in a couple. Single Anna needs this job and so enlists the help of the last person she ever imagined asking for help.

On the surface Jake is a lad with a past; having spent time in prison for punching someone – he is out and now finds the community not exactly welcoming, although he had his reasons for what he did. He is loyal to those he cares about and is soon showing his true colours. He is looking for an opportunity to prove himself, and when Anna provides and opportunity he must decide if he can handle everything that is to come.

Great characters – both having their own issues and insecurities I found they balanced each other out brilliantly and had a positive effect on the other. Both characters evolved throughout the story, with a nudge or disagreement to help them on their way. There is drama, mishaps and miscommunications as well as romance and some light-hearted moments along the way.

This is the first time I’ve read anything by this author and I don’t think it will be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, think it moved along at a good pace. I liked the characters (well the ones that we are supposed to like – there are some rotters in the mix as you can imagine).

I think this is a perfect summer, holiday read. 

Purchase Links

Link UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09RFF6X5Q

Link US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RFF6X5Q

Author Bio:

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to write a book. It may have had something to do with my obsession with reading romance. Real life interfered and I headed off in a different direction – into the world of science, becoming a pharmacist before joining the pharmaceutical industry. I did end up writing, but it was about disease and medicines. Decades later, I’m finally doing what I always wanted to do.

With a husband who asks every Valentine's Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), all the romance in my life is in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links:

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

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A Christmas Wedding at the Castle - Eliza J Scott

 

Do you believe in fate? Livvie Weatherill does…

This time last year, if anyone had told Livvie Weatherill she’d have fallen in love and would be making plans for her Christmas wedding to Zander Gillespie, she would have laughed in their face. If they’d gone on to say they’d be planning to have their wedding at the imposing Danskelfe Castle, she’d have laughed even louder!

But it would seem fate had plans for her…

Since moving to the pretty moorland village of Lytell Stangdale Livvie is happier than she’s ever been. She’s living with Zander and she’s working at her dream job as a wedding dress designer at Romantique with her friends, Kitty and Violet. It’s fair to say, she’s enjoying immersing herself in village life, from romantic walks in the countryside, to meeting friends at the quaint Sunne Inne. And she can’t think of anything better than rounding off the day cosying up with Zander.

Life is sweet.

Her blossoming friendship with Freda Easton, the endearing but reclusive elderly lady who lives down the lane, has taken everyone by surprise. But Freda has a secret and, in a turn of events no one could predict, she finds herself grateful for Livvie’s fierce loyalty, cementing their friendship further.

Just when things seem to be running smoothly, a face from the past arrives on the doorstep casting a shadow over Livvie’s wedding plans. Adding to the drama, an icy blast of Arctic air brings heavy snowfall to the village, covering the moors in a thick blanket of snow.

Is their love strong enough to withstand the challenges thrown at them? Will they get their magical Christmas wedding?

Join Livvie and Zander – and all the usual characters – for a sparkling Christmas full of love and laughter in Lytell Stangdale.

My Review:

It’s an absolute pleasure to be back in Lytell Stangdale with some of our favourites. Lovely to see old friends but nice to focus on Livvie and Zander’s wedding.

Yet again, we are whisked to the Yorkshire Moors to a village full of community spirit, where everyone is keen to support, love and help each other. If you haven’t read any of the previous books, they can be read as standalones, but you’d be in for a real treat if you did read them too.

I thoroughly enjoyed catching up on this gorgeous romance. The book takes us through from proposal to hen night to planning all the finer details. Livvie has her heart set on the beautiful castle but does an on-going problem involving her friend cause an issue that can’t be rectified?

Will Livvie settle for second best for her wedding or will she persevere in planning the dream wedding?

It’s wonderful to read this cosy story, a treat to wrap up warm and enjoy. It’s set at Christmas but it is not Christmas heavy, a sprinkling of festive feeling of course – just enough! Livvie sets about supporting the village recluse, her friend and in helping her discovers more than ever bargained for.

A gorgeous, romantic tale of love, friendship and looking beyond what is in front of you. With characters you will take to your heart,  I highly recommend this and any other read by Eliza J Scott. 

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Wedding-Castle-heartwarming-feel-good-ebook/dp/B08M48P9BB

US - https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Wedding-Castle-heartwarming-feel-good-ebook/dp/B08M48P9BB

Author Bio:

Eliza is proud to be a member of the RNA. She lives in 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, fighting a losing battle against the weeds.
When she's not reading or gardening, 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.
Her biggest weakness is ginger biscuits dunked in tea.
Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming romance stories with relatable female characters. She enjoys exploring the dynamics of female friendship, with a key feature of her books being how women pull together and support one another when things get tough.
Eliza's novels will always have happy endings.

Social Media Links:

Twitter: Eliza J Scott – @ElizaJScott1

Instagram: Eliza J Scott - @elizajscott

Facebook: Eliza J Scott - @elizajscottauthor

Blog: www.elizajscott.com

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