Written in the Stars by Helen Rolfe

 

Written in the Stars

A hidden secret

Live every day as if it were your last – that’s the motto Bess has lived by since her father died unexpectedly. As a critical care paramedic, Bess sees every day just how easily life can be taken away. But carefree living has risks, and as Bess’s debts mount, she discovers her actions could have terrible consequences…

An unexpected arrival

Nothing gives Gio more joy than his work saving lives in the fire service. And on the days when his call-outs put him in the path of the air ambulance, and one paramedic in particular, things are pretty perfect. Until Gio’s world is spun on its head, first by the arrival of his estranged mother on his doorstep, and then by an accident that could put his career on hold indefinitely.

A new beginning?

Gio and Bess have always worked well together, but could they be the solution to each other’s problems beyond the frontline as well? And will they let their guard down enough to give each other a chance before snow falls over Whistlestop River?

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/writteninstarssocial

What did I think?

This is book 2 in The Skylarks series - the first book was called Come Fly With Me.

For over 20 years I was a military wife and was part of the Search and Rescue family with their big yellow Seaking helicopters. So I could relate to some of the themes in this story.

Loved the character of Bess and Gio and the chemistry between them. Didn't realise this was a festive story - but it is although the Christmassy elements are understated.

Lots of themes covered but the one that really stood out for me was that both Bess and Gio are damaged souls in different ways - but together they are helping each other.

A delighful read.

Author Bio –

Helen Rolfe is the author of many bestselling contemporary women's fiction titles, set in different locations from the Cotswolds to New York. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and children.

Social Media Links – 

 

Facebook: @HelenRolfeAuthor

Twitter: @HJRolfe

Instagram: @helen_j_rolfe

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/HelenRolfeNews

Bookbub profile: @helenrolfe

Her Last Walk Home by Patricia Gibney

 

Her shoes pinched as she shivered in the cold night air. She just wanted to get home. A taxi slowed to a halt next to her, and as she buckled her seat belt, she noticed the child’s seat next to her and felt safe. But when she saw his eyes in the mirror, a shiver of terror shook her to her core…

When a young woman’s body is found on a patch of wet grass in the early hours of the morning, Detective Lottie Parker mourns the young life so brutally snatched away. Looking at the victim’s flimsy strappy top, damp from the dew and soaked with blood, it is clear that this young girl never came home from a night out. Lottie’s heart breaks as she thinks of the girl’s parents finding their daughter’s empty bed and she vows to catch the murderer.

The young woman is soon identified as Laura Nolan, and Lottie watches the blood drain from her mother Diana’s face when she tells her the terrible news. Diana reveals that Laura was on a date the night she was killed, but she doesn’t know who with… and Laura’s empty bedroom with make-up scattered across her dressing table offers no clues.

Lottie and her team rush to trace Laura’s last moments. But hope at a potential breakthrough turns to horror for Lottie when another young woman, Shannon Kenny is reported missing, last seen climbing into a taxi with a broken light, close to the same bar.

But then, Lottie discovers a connection between Laura and Shannon that totally overturns everything she thought she knew. The killer didn’t stalk these two young women at random. He knew exactly who they were and where they would be. But can Lottie stop him before he strikes again?

A completely compelling page-turner from bestselling author Patricia Gibney. If you like Rachel McLean, Kendra Elliott and Robert Dugoni, Her Last Walk Home will have you hooked.

 

What did I think?

This is the 14th book in the Lottie Parker series. I will be honest and admit that I haven't read them all. I have dipped in and out of the books and I think they work just as well this way as reading them in chronological order.

I don't read many thrillers so this made a nice change from my usual reads.

Detective Inspector Lottie Parker and her partner Boyd are on the case when a woman's body is found. Then a couple more bodies turn up. And a possible missing person.

This is a busy book - fast paced - a proper page turner. Told from multiple points of view - it kept me on my toes. 

I enjoyed the suspense and as usual had no clue who the killer was!

Author Bio:

 

Patricia is the million-copy bestselling author of the DI Lottie Parker series. She yearned to be a writer after reading Enid Blyton and Carolyn Keene and even wanted to be Nancy Drew when she grew up. She has now grown up (she thinks) but the closest she’s come to Nancy Drew is writing crime!

In 2009, after her husband died, she retired from her job and started writing seriously. Fascinated by people and their quirky characteristics, she always carries a notebook to scribble down observations.

Patricia also loves to paint in watercolour and lives in the Irish midlands with her children.

https://patriciagibney.com/

https://www.facebook.com/trisha460/

https://twitter.com/trisha460

https://www.instagram.com/patricia_gibney_author/

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Patricia Gibney here:

https://www.bookouture.com/patricia-gibney

 

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0CW1DMVZJsocial

 

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

 

 

The Sticky Toffee Pudding Club by Rosie Green

 

The Sticky Toffee Pudding Club

After bonding with the lovely Jensen as they save a dog in trouble, Annalise – new to Sunnybrook – is gutted when they part without swapping numbers. She'd had the weirdest feeling he could be The One but now she might never see Jensen again. When she loses her new job in a wedding boutique, her week goes from bad to worse – until Maddy and the café crew come to her rescue with an exciting solution. The Pudding Club. Can Annalise rise to the challenge and – with the help of the Little Duck Pond Café crew – start teaching others how to make her glorious puds? And could The Pudding Club be the key to finding Jensen again?

Purchase Link

What did I think.

35. Book 35. How can this be?

I do love this series - although not sure I've read every single one yet. They are a delightful series and each book is a quick read.

Now I love a good pudding. And sticky toffee pudding with custard is a favourite.

In this book we meet Annalise and discover her wonderful relationship with her Gran. After losing her job her Gran encourages her down a new path connected to her love of puddings - and of course this leads her to The Little Duck Pond Cafe.

There was a love interest in the form of Jensen - but I won't spoil any of that for you.

I defy you to be able to read this book if you are in anyway hungry- there are so many pudding references it makes your mouth water. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CR8BR1MT

 

Author Bio – Rosie Green’s Little Duck Pond Cafe series of novellas is centred around life in a village cafe and most can be read as stand-alone stories. (‘The Sunshine Sisters’ is a trilogy within the Little Duck Pond Café series and it would benefit from being read in order: Aurora, Skye and Blossom.) Look out for ‘Cosy Nights & Snowball Fights’, and ‘Maddy’s Christmas Wedding’, both out later this year in time for the festive season!

Follow Rosie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88

A New Arrival at Duck Pond Cafe by Della Galton

 

A New Arrival at Duck Pond Cottage

A story of love, second chances and the wonderful start of a BRAND NEW series from Della Galton featuring Duck Pond Lane Animal Rescue.

It's not just animals who need to be rescued...

 

Following the unexpected death of her mother, and the breakdown of her relationship, animal loving idealist Jade Foster, uses her inheritance to buy a smallholding in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside hoping to realise her dream of providing a sanctuary for unloved animals in need of a new home.

Jade employs the enigmatic Finn McTaggart to help out at Duck Pond Lane Rescue and forms a friendship with both Finn and her local Vet, Aiden Southerland. But Finn is running from his own demons and Aiden longs for a more romantic relationship with broken-hearted Jade.

Romance is not on the cards for Jade, but as both men fall for her natural beauty, the rivalry between them hots up. But can any of them heal enough to find lasting love?

What none of them realise is that a devastating secret from the past has the power to destroy the present and that love, however wonderful, isn’t always enough.

Previously published as Passing Shadows by Della Galton

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/newarrivalsocial

 

What did I think?

The start of a brand new series - does a little happy dance.

This was such a delightful feel good story - one of second chances, new opportunities and lots of animals.

An animal sanctuary. A live in handy man. And a hunky vet.

The story centres around these 3 main characters. There is a love triangle  There is attraction. There is jealousy. And there is distrust.

This all adds up to a great entertaining read. And I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Author Bio –

Della Galton writes short stories, teaches writing groups and is Agony Aunt for Writers Forum Magazine. Her stories feature strong female friendship, quirky characters and very often the animals she loves. When she is not writing she enjoys walking her dogs around the beautiful Dorset countryside.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @dailydella

Twitter: @DellaGalton

Instagram: dellagalton

Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/DellaGaltonNewsletter

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/della-galton

 

Snow is Falling by Sarah Bennett

 

Snow is Falling

When Sadie Bingham’s life takes an unexpected turn, her children treat her to a well-earned break at Juniper Meadows, the gorgeous Cotswolds estate owned by the Travers family.

The festive season is in full swing, and Sadie throws herself into the packed Twelve Days of Christmas programme, relishing the opportunity to make new friends and new memories.

Single father Dylan Travers hasn’t been to his childhood home of Juniper Meadows for decades. Estranged from his cantankerous father Monty, he has made a happy life for himself in the States. But now with teenage children keen to know more about their roots, Dylan has brought them back to the Cotswolds to meet his family.

As Sadie and Dylan both navigate a Christmas very different from the ones they had expected it's soon clear that, geography apart, they have a great deal in common. And as Dylan confronts his past and Sadie contemplates her future, perhaps the miracle of this Christmas will be the happily-ever-after they both deserve.

Let Sarah Bennett whisk you away to a snowy Cotswolds for the perfect winter romance. A Sarah Bennett book is guaranteed to brighten any day, perfect for all fans of Cathy Bramley, Katie Fforde and Phillipa Ashley.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/snowisfallingsocial

What did I think?

This is the 4th book in the Juniper Meadows series. I'm really not sure if I have read them all or not. But not to worry as this book works just as well as a standalone title.

My 3rd festive read this year and it is another cracker of a book. And it is set in the Cotswolds which I know quite well - the perfect backdrop for this festive read.

Loved the characters of Sadie and Dylan. Really felt for Sadie throughout this book - her life has been turned upside down and inside out but she has to look to the future for the sake of her children - and to create new memories.

I loved the connection between the two of them and seeing their relationship develop.  

A truly heartwarming story.

Author Bio –

Sarah Bennett is the bestselling author of several romantic fiction trilogies including those set in Butterfly Cove and Lavender Bay. Born and raised in a military family she is happily married to her own Officer and when not reading or writing enjoys sailing the high seas.

Social Media Links

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sarahlou_writes

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

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SarahBennettnews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sarah-bennett-b4a48ebb-a5c3-4c39-b59a-09aa91dc7cfa

'Tis the (damn) Season by Fiona Gibson

 

‘Tis The Damn Season

This year, their families can deck the bloody halls themselves...

Old friends Shelley, Lena and Pearl have reached their limit with the festive preparation that has always fallen to them, and five days before Christmas, they’ve booked a mini break… without their families. Up until Christmas Eve, they’ll be sipping prosecco in the Highlands while their kids wrap bacon around 100 chipolatas and their partners brave the supermarkets.

It’s exactly what they need… until they’re snowed in. Facing the prospect of Christmas 500 miles from home, each woman is forced to confront her real reasons for needing to escape: the fiance with the obnoxious family; the son’s new girlfriend who is taking over their home; the family who take their mother for granted all year round…

Will the friends make it home before Christmas day? And if they do, can they really go back to their old lives?

This Christmas, forget Elf on the Shelf, get ready for Mums on the Run in the hilarious and heartwarming new novel from Fiona Gibson.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/tisthedamnseasonsocial

What did I think?

Fiona is a Scottish author and this book is set North of the border. This is an instant winner with me as I also live way up North.

I loved the main female characters - Shelley, Pearl and Lena  they were al so relatable. All juggling very busy lives one way or another - as they embark on a pre Christmas break. But not everything goes as planned when they find themselves snowed in.  In their own ways each character re evaluates their life - and some far reaching decisions are made.

This was a light hearted fabulous festive read. So easy to read and enjoy. Fiona has done it again. 

Author Bio –

Fiona Gibson writes bestselling and brilliantly funny novels about the craziness and messiness of family life.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @fionagibsonauthor

Twitter: @FionaGibson

Instagram: @fionag_gib

Christmas Ever After by Jaimie Admans

 

Christmas Ever After

A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but Franca Andrews has never felt more miserable. With business far from bustling, she needs a Christmas miracle to keep her beloved nutcracker shop open... But there’s one man standing in her way - expert snow globe maker Raff Dardenne.

Dardenne Snow Globes have a magical reputation for bringing lovers together, a myth that Raff continues to exploit, much to Franca’s annoyance! But this Christmas their shops are pitted against each other and only one gets to stay on Ever After Street. Franca doesn't know how her handmade nutcrackers are ever going to compete with Raff's magical snow globes, especially at the most magical time of the year!

Franca’s determined to prove Raff’s business is built on lies. But when disaster strikes, and she’s left unable to make anything, she needs help. It’s just very frustrating that the only person offering is her gorgeous, annoying, nemesis himself!

As these two enemies get to know each other, Franca discovers another side to Raff – kind, caring and funny. . But unless she can prove that his magical snow globes can’t really match true lovers together, she’s going to lose everything…

But maybe it's not too late for them to put aside their differences and find some Christmas magic of their own?

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/christmasaftersocial

What did I think?

I love Jamie's books - she is one of my favourite authors.

This book is the 4th in the Ever After Street series - the festive edition.

Plenty of Christmassy vibes - a nutcracker shop and a snow globe maker - pitted against each other in the battle of the shops on Ever After Street. But an unfortunate accident brings them together - will the sparks fly or will love blossom?

I found this a slow burn of an enemies to lovers story but really enjoyed my first festive book of the year. 

Author Bio –

Jaimie Admans is the bestselling author of several romantic comedies – including The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane and The Chateau of Happily-Ever-Afters. Her new series for Boldwood, The Ever After Street Series, is based on the magical world of fairytales.

 

Social Media Links –  

 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/be_the_spark

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimieadmans1/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JaimieAdmansNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jaimie-admans

 

One Midnight With You by Shari Low

 

One Midnight With You

What would you do if you had just twenty-four hours to change your life?

Ailish Ryan has been in hiding since her husband’s affair ended their marriage. But when a friend forces her to face her new reality, will she choose to revisit the past or embrace a brand new future?

Ailish’s daughter, Emmy, thought her boyfriend was nothing like her cheating father, but now she’s not so sure. As the hours pass, she turns detective to find out if she picked the right man, or if history is repeating itself.

Grandmother, Minnie Ryan is on a mission to deliver a very special gift to a lifelong friend. But will grit and a touch of divine intervention be enough to overcome the obstacles that fate is putting in her way?

Dario Moretti has spent his whole life working in the family business, but now it’s in trouble and he’s all out of options. Will he have the strength to let it go, even if it means hurting the people he loves?

The clock is ticking… but will twenty-four hours be long enough to heal four broken hearts?

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/OneMidnightwithYou

What did I think?

I do love books by this author. They are so enjoyable and so easy to read. A delight. I think the fact that they are all set over a 24 hour period makes them so absorbing.

Set on New Years Eve with a fantastic cast of characters - some of whom we have met in earlier titles.

The fast moving story covers friendships, family, love - this book has something for everyone.

Another riveting read.

Author Bio –

Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 30 novels, including My One Month Marriage and One Summer Sunrise and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. She lives near Glasgow.

 

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharilow

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

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/ShariLownews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shari-low

 

Snowflakes Over The Second Chances Sweet Shop by Hannah Lynn

 

Snowflakes over the Second Chances Sweet Shop

It’ll be a Christmas to remember …

Holly Berry is finally in a place where she can see her happy ending: a beautiful daughter, who's growing ever sweeter by the day, a new home she can make her own, and – of course – her partner-in-crime, Evan.

But when tragedy strikes, Holly’s life is thrown into turmoil. And, perhaps in denial, she decides to cancel all of her Christmas plans in favour of some healing of her own.

She thinks spending time with Evan’s family will help, but it’s her own family she needs to be with right now. Luckily, they know this, and follow her out to the States to join her in her alternate holiday plans.

They say that time heals all wounds, and with her loved ones around her, can she hope for a brighter tomorrow…?

A heart-wrenching and ultimately uplifting story about friends, family and true love lasting forever, from the bestselling author of the Wildflower Lock series

Purchase Links

UK - https://mybook.to/snowflakessweetsocial

US - https://mybook.to/snowflakescandysocial

What did I think?

I can't believe that this is the 7th book in the series already.

From reading the blurb first I could tell that this was going to be a sad read - but boy I wasn't expecting so many tears.

The book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. Saying that ultimately this is an uplifting story of hope and of moving forward.

If you are looking for your typical happy festive read - then this isn't the one. If you are looking for a happy ever after - then this isn't it either.

But the book fits perfectly into the series and I cannot believe the next book will be the last :(

Author Bio –

Hannah Lynn is the author of over twenty books spanning several genres. Hannah grew up in the Cotswolds, UK. After graduating from university, she spent 15 years as a teacher of physics, teaching in the UK, Thailand, Malaysia, Austria and Jordan.

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HMLynnauthor

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

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/HannahLynnNews

Bookbub profile: Hannah Lynn Books - BookBub