Coming Home to Brightwater Bay - Holly Hepburn

 **The BRAND NEW series from Holly Hepburn, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley and Katie Fforde** 

On paper, Merina Wilde has it all: a successful career writing the kind of romantic novels that make even the hardest hearts swoon, a perfect carousel of book launches and parties to keep her social life buzzing, and a childhood sweetheart who thinks she’s a goddess. But Merry has a secret: the magic has stopped flowing from her fingers. Try as she might, she can’t summon up the sparkle that makes her stories shine. And as her deadline whooshes by, her personal life falls apart too. Alex tells her he wants something other than the future she’d always imagined for them and Merry finds herself single for the first time since – well, ever. Desperate to get her life back on track, Merry leaves London and escapes to the windswept Orkney Islands, locking herself away in a secluded clifftop cottage to try to heal her heart and rediscover her passion for writing. But can the beauty of the islands and the kindness of strangers help Merry to fool herself into believing in love again, if only long enough to finish her book? Or is it time for her to give up the career she’s always adored and find something new to set her soul alight?

The brand new series from Holly Hepburn, first published as four ebook parts: BROKEN HEARTS AT BRIGHTWATER BAY, SEA BREEZES AT BRIGHTWATER BAY, DANGEROUS TIDES AT BRIGHTWATER BAY and SUNSET OVER BRIGHTWATER BAY

My Review:

An absolute pleasure to read, originally four novellas by Holly Hepburn I thoroughly enjoyed them as one in ‘Coming Home to Brightwater Bay.’ An utterly charming, heart warming read that captures your imagination, your emotions and will have you dreaming of living a much simpler and lovelier life in lands far away.

Having never had the pleasure of visiting the Orkney Islands, or anywhere close, I had to rely on the imagery created by the author and I genuinely was bowled away and wished I could visit…if not relocate! I think I’m an Orkney Island convert just like Merry. How wonderfully descriptive and informative this books is, no wonder our leading character, Merina, didn’t want to leave.

Merina heads to the island to be a writer in residence, having lost her way and finding herself unable to write. On the island she soon rediscovers her passion, although not necessarily for what she should be concentrating on. Her writing aside, she soon builds up relationships in the community that, over time, she realises she cannot be without.

What a lucky lady she is with the attentive, intelligent librarian Niall on one hand and the hunky, Icelandic Viking Magnus on the other. What’s a woman to do! Oh, the problems she faces.

With moments of heartfelt emotion, coupled with scenes of hilarity and comedy thanks to a rogue goat – this book will entertain, comfort and provide a fantastic escape for a few hours. I highly recommend for a cosy afternoon – be warned you will be packing a bag for the Orkney Islands as soon as you can. 

PURCHASE HERE

About the author: 

Holly Hepburn is the much-loved author of commercial women’s fiction. She lives near London with her grey tabby cat, Portia. They both have an unhealthy obsession with Marmite. Follow Holly on Twitter @HollyH_Author. 

The Cornish Cream Tea Christmas by Cressida McLaughlin

The perfect Christmas read from the number one bestselling author of The Canal Boat Cafe.

Hannah Swan is looking forward to Christmas for the first time in years. Her new job as an eco-consultant is taking her – and her geeky colleague, Noah – to the beautiful Cornish village of Porthgolow for the first time. They’re are helping the Crystal Waters Hotel to ramp up its green credentials, though after a bumpy journey, Hannah can’t shake off the feeling that Porthgolow is strangely familiar. Never able to resist a mystery, her interest is piqued when the hotel’s staff and customers report odd noises and sightings, believing the hotel to be haunted.
When bad weather cuts off Porthgolow, Hannah and Noah are looking at a Cornish Christmas. It gives them plenty of time to work out what is really going on, but will their yuletide escape send shivers up their spines? Or will it be as warm and toasty as a glass of mulled wine?

My Review:

Yet another mouth-watering, fun filled book by Cressida McLaughlin. I am a big fan of The Cornish Cream Tea series – this is book 3 but really they can each be read as a standalone. I would highly recommend each book.

As always, we are treated to some delicious sounding goodies and meals, honestly you shouldn’t read these books if you are hungry. Always be curled up with a mug of tea and some snacks. This time we have the addition of ghost stories, forbidden love, and family secrets to add to the excitement that seems to keep Porthgolow going!

Hannah takes a trip to Porthgolow for work, meeting local freelancer Noah who is supposed to be helping on her first assignment for the company. He doesn’t make a great first impression, if I’m honest I wasn’t holding much hope they would even get on at all, but as the story unfolds, we see how first impressions can change and how sometimes things aren’t always as they seem. Noah was a great character in terms of how he developed, loosen up and joined in the festivities; he seemed to really open himself up to Hannah and got involved with all the ghost hunting shenanigans.

We know that falling in love is usually key in these stories, but for fans of the other books of the series we also know that the real love story is with Porthgolow itself, and once you are there it is very hard to leave.

I’d be the same, it sounds amazing. The locals are quite an eclectic bunch who provide a lot of comedy and entertainment as always. Although the Cornish Cream Tea bus does feature as always, I enjoyed the ghost hunting and historic mystery element to the storyline, with some funny happenings that sent shivers through me!

Its definitely a great book to cosy up with this winter – I highly recommend this and others by this author. I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store!

Thank you to Random Things Tours & Harper Collins for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

About Cressida McLaughlin:

Cressy was born in South East London surrounded by books and with a cat named after Lawrence of Arabia. She studied English at the University of East Anglia and now lives in Norwich with her husband David. When she isn’t writing, Cressy spends her spare time reading, returning to London or exploring the beautiful Norfolk coastline.

Mango Bay - Serena Fairfax

 

Jazz clubs, yacht clubs, aunty bars and a Bollywood beauty shadowed by her pet panther. This is glamorous Bombay in the late 1950s.

Love has blossomed in London between vivacious Scottish Presbyterian, Audrey, and clever Indian lawyer, Nat Zachariah.

When the happy newlyweds move to Nat’s exotic homeland and the striking family villa, Audrey must deftly navigate the rituals, secrets, intrigues and desires of his Bene Israel Jewish community, and adjust to perplexing new relatives.

In time, the past unlocks, old family ties unravel, lies are exposed and passions run high as different generations fall out. Then something shocking happens that undoes everything. Will this marriage that has crossed boundaries survive?

 Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mango-Bay-Rituals-secrets-intrigues/dp/0957040563

My Review:

As a reader new to Fairfax’s work I was excited about reading Mango Bay and I was not disappointed at all. The story, a gorgeous romance set in Bombay during the 1950’s, is of Audrey and Nat, who meet, quickly fall in love and get married in a bit of a whirlwind before eventually moving to Nat’s homeland.

We soon see that wedded bliss is not all that Audrey expects it to be, Nat is not the same and we are taken on a journey of the lows and turmoil surrounding these two characters but they do have highs and happiness. How long does that happiness last? Well I will leave that for you to discover but to say things and people are not always as they seem. We read how this family lives with the situations they find themselves in and how differing cultures may play a role in the marriage and family dynamic.

Very well written, Serena Fairfax transports you to another time and place, full of culture and difference. As someone who loves India and has spent time there this book took me straight back, I could feel the atmosphere, imagine the smells, and sounds and I was engrossed.

It’s a beautiful book that will sweep you up and keep you reading for hours. Highly recommended. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Serena spent her childhood in India, qualified as a Lawyer in England, and worked in a London law firm.

Some of her novels have a strong romantic arc although she burst the romance bubble with one quirky departure. Other novels pull the reader into the dark corners of family life and relationships. She enjoys the challenge of experimenting and writing in different genres.

Her short stories and a medley of articles, including her reviews of thrillers and crime fiction, feature on her blog.

Fast forward to a sabbatical from the day job when Serena traded in bricks and mortar for a houseboat that, for a hardened land lubber like her, turned out to be a big adventure.  A few of her favourite things are collecting old masks, singing and exploring off the beaten track.

Serena and her golden retriever, Inspector Morse, who can’t wait to unleash his own Facebook page, live in London.

www.serenafairfax.com

 Twitter @Sefairfax

Away with the Penguins - Hazel Prior

Veronica McCreedy lives in a mansion by the sea. She loves a nice cup of Darjeeling tea whilst watching a good wildlife documentary.  And she’s never seen without her ruby-red lipstick, although these days Veronica is rarely seen by anyone because, at 85, her days are spent mostly at home, alone.


She can be found either collecting litter from the beach (‘people who litter the countryside should be shot’), trying to locate her glasses (‘someone must have moved them’) or shouting instructions to her assistant, Eileen (‘Eileen, door!’). Veronica doesn’t have family or friends nearby. Not that she knows about, anyway . . .  And she has no idea where she’s going to leave her considerable wealth when she dies.


But today . . . today Veronica is going to make a decision that will change all of this. She is going on an intrepid journey - to save the penguins.

My Review:


A delightful read that will tug on heart strings. I didn’t know what to expect at all but I was surprised by how emotional the book made me.


We are presented with such an interesting and completely unique character in Veronica. It took me a little while to get accustomed to her eccentricity; she is your typical cantankerous old woman who is determined and won’t let anything get in the way. Everything starts with the rediscovery of old diaries, from this we learn the sentimental, special story of Veronica and learn what made her become the stoic lady she is.


We learn of the losses she has endured, the hard times that she has lived through and was hardened by. I think this really cements our love for her and makes her journey to discovering friends and family even better.


Veronica stumbles upon a TV programme about penguins, and after learning about those who want to save them she starts to look at her own life and the lack of relationships within it. Veronica discovers a grandson, Patrick, who at first meeting is not interested in her and she most definitely is not impressed by him especially after he learns of her wealth.


When we meet Patrick he doesn’t have much going for him, he doesn’t like people and doesn’t seem bothered by that. I admit I was not at all fond of him at all. His boring life trundles on as we see Veronica’s head in a very interesting direction.


Veronica decides that she will leave her money to those researchers looking out for the penguins but first she will be going to stay with them, and of course this isn’t a request.

I loved the penguins. I’ve always quite liked them but now I think I’m a bit in love. How clever of this author to raise awareness through her work. This book is so well written, very engaging and I read this very quickly because I felt so involved with their adventures.

A very charming read that I recommend wholeheartedly.



HAZEL PRIOR lives on Exmoor. 

As well as writing, she works as a freelance harpist.