Underneath the Christmas Tree - Heidi Swain

 

***The sparkling new Christmas novel from the  Sunday Times  bestselling author Heidi Swain!***

Wynter’s Trees is the home of Christmas. For the people of Wynmouth it’s where they get their family Christmas tree, and where Christmas truly comes to life.

But for Liza Wynter, it’s a millstone around her neck. It was her father’s pride and joy but now he’s gone, she can’t have anything to do with it. Until her father’s business partner decides to retire and she must go back to handle the transition to his son Ned.

When Liza arrives, she discovers a much-loved business that’s flourishing under Ned’s stewardship. And she’s happy to stay and help for the Christmas season, but then she has other plans. But will the place where she grew up make her change her mind? And can it weave its Christmas cheer around her heart…?

Underneath the Christmas Tree is the perfect festive read, promising snowfall, warm fires and breath-taking seasonal romance. Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Carole Matthews and Cathy Bramley.

PUBLICATION DATE: 28th October 2021 - PREORDER HERE

If ever a book was destined to be made into a cosy, heart-warming, fabulous, Hallmark Christmas move it’s this one. Heidi Swain delivers Christmas in true style here, I have to say it’s one of my favourite festive reads this year and one I know I will read again closer to the big day.

Wynter’s Trees sounds brilliant, and although I completely understand why Liza hasn’t wanted to be around, she’s missed out on so much. The festive magic is in the air, and it leaps off the page!

David, and son Ned, have been taking care of everything at the Christmas Tree farm since Liza’s Dads death but now with retirement in mind, David is keen to move on and let Ned buy his share. Liza is keen to move on also, and with a plan she finally returns, hoping to convince Ned to buy her share as well so she can fulfil her travel and career plans.

David and Ned are reluctant to have Liza sell, they truly believe she doesn’t want to really, deep down and set about making her realise what she will be losing. Magic must be in the air as slowly Liza is pulled back into the festive atmosphere; she genuinely starts to see the beauty of the season again and just how special Wynters Trees is.

Liza took a bit of warming up too, although I understood her reasons, I thought she was perhaps a little immature and hasty, and blinkered in her views, unwilling to listen to those that genuinely cared for her. She seemed very determined, but I liked that she met her match in Ned. The chemistry between the two was instant and undeniable.

I loved the craft huts and the great community it created – what a great idea and took me away to all the fabulous Christmas markets and craft fairs we see pop up in the run up to the season. Always nice to see some old characters pop up again, although it is completely a standalone book.

I could honestly rave about this all day; an absolute delight as always. You know you are in a safe pair of hands with Heidi; never failing to bring us wonderful characters, emotional heart warming stories with romance, community spirit and the ability to leave us feeling all warm and cosy.

A festive hug in book form... I cannot recommend this one enough!

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 Katie Ginger

 Welcome to The Comfy Chair Blog... Katie Ginger 

KATIE GINGER lives by the sea in the south-east of England, and apart from holidays to very hot places where you can sit by a pool and drink cocktails as big as your head, she wouldn’t really want to be anywhere else. Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay is her sixth novel. She is also the author of Spring Tides at Swallowtail Bay, Summer Strawberries at Swallowtail Bay, Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage and the Seafront series – The Little Theatre on the Seafront, shortlisted for the Katie Fforde Debut Novel of the Year award, and Summer Season on the Seafront.

When she’s not writing, Katie spends her time with her husband and two kids, and their dogs: Wotsit, the King Charles spaniel, and Skips, the three-legged rescue dog. (And yes, they are both named after crisps!)

1.      What was your favourite childhood book/author? 

My favourite childhood book is Winnie the Pooh and the House at Pooh Corner. I’ve got an absolutely ancient copy in my bookshelf that no one’s allowed to touch because it’s falling apart!

 

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

Although I was one of those kids who loved writing, I stopped for ages when I started working and had kids. Even though my ambition was secretly to be a writer, life got in the way and I just thought it was one of those things that would never happen. But then in 2014, I got made redundant and I decided that after years of being practical, I wanted to tap back into being creative, so I signed up for a novel writing course and fell back in love with writing.

I joined an online writing group too which taught me so much, and I found out I was okay at it! It gave me a real confidence boost.

Sadly, in 2017 my cousin died from cancer at just 25 and it was the wake-up call I needed to really try and make my dream of being a writer come true. I entered a Twitter pitch that HQ Digital were running and was lucky enough to get picked up.

 

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

Definitely neat and ordered! Most of my house is a mess but I love a tidy workspace! It just makes me feel more in control and gives my brain room to be creative.

 

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

I think the easiest is having the idea and the hardest is writing that first draft. Editing can feel tough emotionally because you’re changing things you put a lot of effort into, but knowing it will be better at the end of it always gets me though!

 

5.      Which other authors are you influenced by?

So many! Sometimes I read other authors books and just wish I could write like that! I particularly love Sophia Money-Coutts, Jenny Colgan and Wendy Holden.

 

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

That’s a really good question! I think just knowing people are buying my books and enjoying them. I love it when readers get in touch or when I see someone has read my book, it really means the world to me. They’ve chosen to spend time with my characters and read my words and that blows my mind every single time!

 

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

For my heroines, I love old fashioned names. I’ve had a Charlotte, Esme, Hetty and a Nell. I just love them! For the guys, I sometimes go for names that remind me of an actor or character. They can be hard to choose though sometimes!

 

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

Never! I’m just not clever enough for that! Sometimes I ask my friends if I can use an anecdote or something they’ve told me and they’re very kind and let me. My mum friends can probably recognise stories about our various kids!

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

I absolutely adore questions like this! So for Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay, I see Nell as Anna Farris. I just love her in What’s Your Number? For Tom it’d have to be a long-haired but clean-shaven Tom Hiddleston!

 

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

With how awful 2020 has been I just want readers to enjoy being away from reality for a while. I try and tug at their heart strings a bit, but it’s always safe in the knowledge that things will work out in the end! And right now, I think that’s what we all need.

 

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? 

A hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows and maybe even a flake!

Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay

Grab your cosiest jumper and escape to the beautiful Swallowtail Bay!

Christmas and romance are in the air and Nell is obsessed! She can’t stop watching her favourite Christmas romcoms and dreaming of the day when she meets her own romantic hero, especially as she is hosting the first ever wedding at her small hotel, Holly Lodge.

Nell’s best friend, Tom, has been in love with her ever since they met. But Nell has never seen him that way, and he’s always kept his feelings a secret in case it ruins their friendship.

After the opening of the glamorous Langdon Mansion Hotel in the bay, Nell’s hotel is struggling for survival and she must fight, with Tom’s help, to keep Holly Lodge open. Can the magic of Christmas help two old friends save Holly Lodge and open Nell’s eyes to a love that was always there the whole time?

Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay is the hilarious new romantic comedy from Katie Ginger, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Veronica Henry and Holly Martin!

Buy Links:

ebook: https://amzn.to/2Ni5ipv

paperback: https://amzn.to/3fwlz7L

For more about Katie, you can visit her website: www.keginger.com, find her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KatieGAuthor, or follow her on Twitter: @KatieGAuthor..

Q&A with Rosie Green

 Welcome to The Comfy Chair Blog.... Rosie Green.

Favourite childhood book/author?
I adored Enid Blyton as a child and devoured everything she wrote, but I think the most well-worn, dog-eared copy was probably Five on a Treasure Island.

What inspired you to start writing and how long has it taken you to get to this point?From the age of about nine, I wanted to write a book and get it published. I tried a few times over the years, but didn’t get serious about it until I reached a certain milestone birthday. It took me five years to write a book good enough to land an agent, and then another year or so after that to find a publisher willing to take a chance on me. Getting ‘the call’ from Helen at Avon on that August day in 2014 was one of the most exciting things that’s ever happened to me.

Describe your writing space.
I used to have an actual study to write in, but my lovely teenage son has now commandeered it for a music studio! I don’t mind because he’s got a real talent for music, but I’m not sure my back likes me much for spending a lot of time sitting on my bed to write. The space itself is definitely more ‘organised chaos’ than neat and ordered.

Easiest and hardest part of the writing process?
I really look forward to writing the last few chapters. All the hard work of establishing setting and character, and plot development, is behind me and the ending practically writes itself. Conversely, the middle of a book can be the hardest to write – I’m filled with enthusiasm for my plot and characters at the start, but by about 20,000 words, I can start to feel a bit bogged down. The ending is still so far in the distance and it can sometimes seem an impossible task to actually get there.

Which other authors are you influenced by?
Marian Keyes. Sophie Kinsella. Ian Rankin. P D James.

How do you select the names of your characters?
It’s just instinct, I suppose. I guess I choose names I really like for my nicest people! There’s also a practical element, though – you don’t want to confuse readers by having two characters with similar names. In my current release, Log Fires & Toffee Apple Cake, the main character is called Carrie, and originally, I also had a ‘Caroline’ in the book, until my editor pointed out that they were probably a bit too similar. So then she became ‘Maggie’.

Do you hide any secret messages in your books?
I don’t. But funnily enough, I have a friend who sometimes reads things into a book I’ve written that I swear aren’t actually there. (Maybe she’s right, though, and it’s emerging from my subconscious!) 

What do you hope your readers take away from your book?
My aim has always been to entertain and provide an escape from everyday life, but I also hope my main characters are inspiring – they’re ordinary women who are facing big challenges but they tackle them with courage and make it out the other side, a little wiser for their experience.

Sweet treat?
My main character in A Brambleberry Manor Christmas runs her own catering company, so I’ve had lots of fun designing scrumptious menus – including the very delicious white chocolate and cherry roulade cake. (I’ve included the recipe in the book!)

My latest book - A Brambleberry Manor Christmas, out on 23^rd December – is packed with lots of festive delights.

Jenny Wilkes is dreading Christmas after the tragic events of the previous festive season. The one bright spot is that her catering company seems to be doing well – she’s been asked to cook for a house party at the wonderful Brambleberry Manor, her friend Fen’s family home. Meeting the lovely Will, one of the guests, gives Jenny hope for the future, and the Little Duck Pond Café girls are great at raising her flagging spirits – but there’s nothing like a bitter and stroppy step-daughter to put a spanner in the works! Can Jenny find her happy-ever-after against all the odds?

Available HERE

Q&A with Eliza J. Scott

Welcome to The Comfy Chair Blog.... Eliza J.Scott...

Hi Jenn, thank you so much for inviting me to take part in your author Q&A. So, without further ado, I’ll dive straight in…

 1.       WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD BOOK/AUTHOR?

I’d have to say Enid Blyton and her books about the Enchanted Wood and the Faraway Tree. It was while looking them as a small child, I first realised I could actually read; not just a couple of words, but lots of them put together to make a sentence, then a paragraph, then a page! I can still remember that feeling of utter happiness! I was also enthralled by Beatrix Potter and the exquisite drawings in her books; the perfect fuel for a young imagination! Happy memories.

2.       WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING AND HOW LONG HAS IT TAKEN YOU TO GET TO THIS POINT?

I’d say my love of books and reading is what inspired me. As a child, I always used to feel an overwhelming urge to write after I’d finished reading a book. I used to make my own – complete with drawings – out of pieces of paper folded together. I’d scribble little stories about mice who lived in tree trunks or a girl called Emily who was always getting into mischief. I wanted to be a writer from an early age, but those dreams got swallowed up by life, getting a job, getting married, having a family, buying a building renovation … all the usual things. I started writing seriously again when my youngest daughter started secondary school, but I kept it to myself and used to write in secret! I’ve got notebooks full of drafts for different stories – my Life on the Moors series came from these, as has the seaside series I’ll be starting next year. But it was a trip to the Festival of Writing at York that really spurred me on; I came away from that feeling very fired up. So, to sum up; it’s taken a heck of a long time to get to this point!

3.      DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING SPACE – NEAT AND ORDERLY OR CREATIVE CHAOS?

It’s a bit of a mixture actually – though the chaos isn’t creative! My writing space is a little room just off the living room – we call it ‘the snug’. It needs a total revamp, but I moved in to write during lockdown as my usual space (the kitchen table) was proving impossible to work from with everyone being at home full-time. It’s still home to a bit of junk (that’s yours, Mr S, if you’re reading this!) which is slowly disappearing, but I’ve been buying lots of lovely bits and bobs to decorate it with when it’s finally cleared. I have my desk in there, and I like everything on it to be neat and orderly; only papers, notebooks and files relating to my current WIP are allowed!

4.      WHAT IS THE EASIEST AND HARDEST PART OF THE WRITING PROCESS?

For me, the hardest part is definitely writing the blurb! Ughh! Just thinking about it puts my stomach in knots! The easiest part is when I’m describing scenery from the North Yorkshire Moors, which I can see from the windows of my home. I can’t help but feel totally inspired whenever I look out at them.

5.      WHICH OTHER AUTHORS ARE YOU INFLUENCED BY?

Ooh, this is a tricky one to narrow down as there are so many wonderful authors out there. I’d say my favourites would have to include Milly Johnson, Sarah Morgan, Heidi Swain (fully-fledged member of the Swainettes club here!), Cathy Bramley, Carole Matthews, Catherine Alliott, Santa Montefiore, Emma Davies, Jules Wake/Julie Caplin, Freya North, Karen Swan … oh, heck, I could go on forever!

6.      WHAT DOES LITERARY SUCCESS LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

When a reader takes the time to get in touch to tell you how much they enjoyed your books. It’s just the best feeling; heartwarming and humbling in equal measure – it still takes a bit to sink in! – and I appreciate it enormously.

7.      HOW DO YOU SELECT THE NAMES OF YOUR CHARACTERS?

I don’t have a process really, they just pop into my head when I’m drawing up their profile. They pretty much always stick too.

8.      DO YOU HIDE ANY SECRET ‘MESSAGES’ IN YOUR BOOK THAT ONLY A FEW PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND?

No, I’ve never done that. I’d love to find out who does, though! That’s very intriguing.

9.      IF YOUR BOOK WAS TO BE MADE INTO A FILM/TV PROGRAMME, WHICH ACTORS WOULD PLAY WHICH ROLE?

For A Christmas Kiss and A Christmas Wedding at the Castle, I’d have to say Henry Cavill for Zander and Holliday Grainger for Livvie, with a very cheeky black Labrador for Alf’s role!

10.  WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR READERS TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR BOOK?

The same as I hope for myself when reading a book: the opportunity to be transported to a fictional place where I can immerse myself amongst the pages and forget about what’s going on around me. That’s become increasingly important this year.

LASTLY, JENN (THE COMFY CHAIR) LIKES TO ENJOY A GOOD READ SNUGGLED UP WITH A CUP OF TEA AND A PIECE OF CAKE … WHAT CAKE OR SWEET TREAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST TO ACCOMPANY YOUR BOOK?

I can’t think of anything nicer than snuggling up with a book and a large mug of Yorkshire Tea (no sugar, just a splash of milk!) and a couple of ginger biscuits for dunking!

Thank you for your fabulous questions, Jenn, I had great fun answering them. And, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful members of the book community – whether they’re a reader, a blogger or an author – for all of their support and kind words. It’s such a warm, friendly and inclusive community to be part of. Thank you!

My latest release – A Christmas Wedding at the Castle – is my second festive romance novel and book #5 in the Life on the Moors series. It follows straight on from A Christmas Kiss and catches up with Livvie and Zander – and the very cheeky, but adorable black Labrador, Alfred. There are plenty of appearances by the usual cast of friends, and we get to know quite a bit more about the slightly reclusive Freda Easton; she’s their nearest neighbour on the moors. On top of that, a couple of secrets and a last-minute disaster threaten to scupper Livvie and Zander’s plans. It’s a romance story with a thread of friendship running through it and plenty of laughs along the way. As with all of my novels, there’s a happy ending, but the road to it has the odd bump and detour!

If you like the sound of it, you can grab a copy here:

ELIZA J SCOTT - AMAZON UK

ELIZA J SCOTT - AMAZON USA

                                                               

ABOUT ELIZA

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:  @ElizaJScott1

Instagram: @elizajscott

Facebook: @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

 

The Little Teashop in Tokyo - Julie Caplin

The Little Teashop in Tokyo

Grab your passport and escape to a land of dazzling skycrapers, steaming bowls of comforting noodles, and a page-turning love story that will make you swoon!

For travel blogger Fiona, Japan has always been top of her bucket list so when she wins an all-expenses paid trip, it looks like her dreams are coming true.

Until she arrives in vibrant, bustling Tokyo and comes face-to-face with the man who broke her heart ten years ago, gorgeous photographer Gabe.

Fiona can’t help but remember the heartache of their last meeting but amidst the temples and clouds of soft pink cherry blossoms, can Fiona and Gabe start to see life – and each other – differently?

Purchase Links

UK - https://amzn.to/39JCFL9    

US - http://amzn.to/39QbGhh

My Review:I am always happiest when I get to be whisked away to another fantastic location by Julie Caplin. This series of books is a wonderful mood booster, a great source of happiness and the stories are always fun and full of heart. This latest book, The Little Teashop in Tokyo, lives up the same wonderful standard as it’s predecessors. If you haven’t read any of the others in this series, do not worry. They can all be standalone books; the characters sometimes appear in other places, but the stories are different. (Please do go and read the others though - they are fab!)

Here we have Fiona, who wins the chance to go to Tokyo and experience the Japanese culture whilst being mentored by a top photographer. Cue some changes and she find herself in the very capable (but familiar) hands of famed photographer Gabe. The sparks fly from the off between these two characters and it was fun to see how they pushed each other’s buttons.  I have to hand it to Fiona, she certainly gave as good as she got in many ways!
Each location is beautifully described, as I read sat out in the sunshine, I could imagine myself in Fiona’s shoes; gazing at the cherry blossom or being wowed by Mount Fuji. I have never really had any interest in Japan/Tokyo, but I found myself being pulled into wanting to know more about the culture and traditions and Julie incorporates so much of this into the story.
Haruka is possibly one of my favourite characters; fiery yet calm, smart and sensitive – not one to cross, as Gabe found out. If I was to go to Japan, she is exactly the type of person I would like to meet.
This is a story of self-discovery, moving forward from the past and embracing what is meant for you. It shows how to see things from new perspectives, and I think it is a wonderful way to escape the current anxieties and worries.
I cannot recommend this one enough!! Author Bio

Jules Wake announced at the age of ten that she planned to be a writer. Along the way she was diverted by the glamorous world of PR and worked on many luxury brands, taking journalists on press trips to
awful places like Turin, Milan, Geneva, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam and occasionally losing the odd member of the press in an airport. This proved fabulous training for writing novels as it provided her with the opportunity to eat amazing food, drink free alcohol, hone her writing skills on press releases
and to research European cities for her books.
She writes best-selling warm-hearted contemporary fiction for HarperImpulse.
Under her pen name, Julie Caplin, her thirteenth novel, The Little Teashop in Tokyo will be published in ebook and paperback this June.
Social Media Links :
www.twitter.com/juliecaplin
@Juleswake
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JulieCaplinAuthor

The First Date - Zara Stoneley

Right place.
Right time.
Wrong guy …

After breaking up with her childhood sweetheart, clueless dater Rosie has found herself in a boyfriend-drought. So when she finally swipes right on a guy who seems interested, she can’t wait to meet up IRL.

Until she’s left standing alone. In a bar. Ghosted.

Enter Noah. Confident, funny … and a serial first dater. Offering to give Rosie a crash course in seduction, this could be just what she needs. Until her matchmaker turns out to be the best date she’s ever had – and Rosie wonders if she wants the fake dates to be the real ones after all …

A hilarious, heart warming romantic comedy about what happens when the wrong guy turns up at the right time, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Debbie Johnson.

My Review:

A delightful, fun filled book with humour that will have you laughing out loud and giggling at the blunders, miscommunications and tension between our two main characters.

I really enjoyed the blossoming friendship between Rosie and Noah, they had a great chemistry and banter. In my opinion Noah is the easier character to like, he has charm in buckets whereas Rosie is a tad selfish. Rosie grew on me the more I read, I think the more she opened up and the more she acted like a grown up rather than a poor little girl with Daddy issues, the more I liked her. There is a lot of emphasis about the issues her Dad’s ‘extra curricular activity’ and how it has changed her view of men/dating. I think it goes on a bit, I mean she’s not the first nor last it would have been a problem for. Thank goodness for Noah who is not afraid to say what he thinks about her Dad.

Rosie’s Mum was another cool character and taught her daughter some much needed lessons thankfully. I love a crazy character and she is that indeed! It took Mums actions for Rosie to move forward and see she could attempt relationships, or live a little dangerously.

It’s pretty obvious where the story will go but I have no problem at all with that, I was rooting for the romance between them to grow into something more.

It’s well written and amusing, a fantastic read if you are looking for something to put a smile on your face. Highly recommended!

About the Author:

Zara Stoneley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Wedding Date. 

Born in a small village in the UK, she wanted to be a female James Herriot, a spy, or an author when she grew up. After many (many) years, and many different jobs, her dream of writing a bestseller came true.

She writes about friendship, dreams, love, and happy ever afters, and hopes that her tales make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and occasionally say 'ahhh'.

Zara now lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a lively cockapoo called Harry, and a very bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron.

Zara’s bestselling novels include 'The Wedding Date', 'The Holiday Swap', 'Summer with the Country Village Vet', 'Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage' and the popular Tippermere series - 'Stable Mates', 'Country Affairs' and 'Country Rivals'.