A Cosy Christmas in Cornwall - Jane Linfoot (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 17/10/2019

Author: Jane Linfoot

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: October 19, 2019

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

A December to remember…

Christmas in a Cornish castle? Sign Ivy Starforth up! Hired to kit out the holiday rental as the world’s most Instagramable festive dreamland, there’s only one thing standing in the way of her hefty paycheque – the lord of the manor.

Bill Markham could give Scrooge a run for his money but Ivy is firmly #TeamChristmas…even if her handsome host seems to be doing everything he can to sabotage her staging. Maybe she shouldn’t have stumbled in on him starkers in the hot tub?

As the temperature outside cools, things inside the castle heat up. It’s been a long time since Ivy allowed herself to give in to temptation…surely one little kiss under the mistletoe won’t hurt?

Review: 

       OMG! Can anyone pass up this cute read after seeing that stunning cover? Ya, you got it right folks, I was hooked the moment I saw it. And as for the story . . . let's just say I gained a few pounds after reading. Well, that's my advice to you. If you are on a diet, then keep away.

      There is a whole bunch of characters to confuse you in the beginning and you get to know how frustrated Ivy feels at the start. But optimism and determination always win the day. Considering the way she is wounded on last Christmas, this is a truly remarkable feat. With the kids' gang behaving more like grownups even with all the stubbornness, this Christmas in a Cornish castle brings healing to all.

         Linfoot is known to make wonders with words and she has done it again. Reading this book was like being part of the festivities in the castle. And the banter and wit was quite something to go by. The wry humour that pops up from each page had me snorting with laughter. The fact that Ivy is accident-prone must have contributed to this a lot. 
       A miraculous love, a dog that is almost human, shopping with friends and some mouth-watering dishes to savour . . . what is more to wish? This is a cosy Christmas indeed.

Meet the author:

Jane Linfoot writes fun, flirty fiction with feisty heroines and a bit of an edge. She lives in a mountain kingdom in Derbyshire, where her family and pets are kind enough to ignore the domestic chaos. Happily, they’re in walking distance of a supermarket. Jane loves hearts, flowers, happy endings, all things vintage, and most things French. When not on Facebook and without an excuse for shopping, she can be found walking or gardening.

       

The Winter of the Witch - Katherine Arden (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 30/09/2019

Author: Katherine Arden

Publisher: Ebury Publishing

Publication Date: January 10, 2019

Rating: 5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

Following their adventures in The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, Vasya and Morozko return in this stunning conclusion to the bestselling Winternight Trilogy, battling enemies mortal and magical to save both Russias, the seen and the unseen.

Now Moscow has been struck by disaster. Its people are searching for answers—and for someone to blame. Vasya finds herself alone, beset on all sides. The Grand Prince is in a rage, choosing allies that will lead him on a path to war and ruin. A wicked demon returns, stronger than ever and determined to spread chaos. Caught at the centre of the conflict is Vasya, who finds the fate of two worlds resting on her shoulders. Her destiny uncertain, Vasya will uncover surprising truths about herself and her history as she desperately tries to save Russia, Morozko, and the magical world she treasures. But she may not be able to save them all.

Review:

       I am devastated. Can't believe this is the last book in the Winternight trilogy. Now I know how Peter and his siblings felt coming out of the magic of Narnia to the dreary, non-magical school life. Closing this book felt something akin to that. It has been a long journey and finally, it's over. Sigh!

      If you have never heard of Winternight series, then let me enlighten you. (And before you ask, no, they are not standalone).This concerns the story of Vasya, a Russian girl born with a certain gift (yes, in ordinary terms she is a witch). Weaving Russian history and folklore together, we get to know a magical and real-world, both existing side by side. Now both are in danger and their fate depends on this outwardly ordinary but exceptionally courageous girl.

     'The Winter of the Witch' is the perfect culmination to an altogether incredible series. Action-packed from the beginning, it starts off with a heartbreaking loss (ya, the prophecies are being fulfilled) and concludes with the peace brought by the balance of two forces. We find Vasya rising to her challenges and the leader in her has finally emerged establishing a third side against the twins. OOh! If I were one of the cheyerts, I would have gladly followed her like Ded Grib. Mmm !... He is one of my favourite characters, and that has nothing to do with the fact that I love mushrooms (probably). How I would love to see all of them in a movie!
      As I have never studied Russian history or folklore, this series was also a step into a new realm. Religion is also a sensitive issue here, which I think the author has handled with tact, (devout Christians may think otherwise) stressing the fact that both the old and the new doesn't have to contradict each other. The beauty and danger of the Russian countryside, noise and excitement of Moscow and the dreariness and hope of Midnight, this book has girdled them all with an effortless charm, hooking us to this world forever.
      I don't think my review can adequately describe the beauty and impact of this series. What can I say? My life would have been incomplete without reading them. Farewell, Vasya, Morozko, Sasha and Medved. Until next time.

Meet the author: 

Born in Texas, Katherine studied French and Russian at Middlebury College. She has lived abroad in France and in Moscow, among other places. She has also lived in Hawaii, where she wrote much of The Bear and the Nightingale. She currently lives in Vermont.    
  

Four Christmases and a Secret - Zara Stoneley (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 22/09/2019

Author: Zara Stoneley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: September 27, 2019

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

Except for Daisy Christmas means another of Uncle T’s dreaded Christmas parties, complete with Christmas jumper and flashing antlers.  And Oliver Cartwright.  Gorgeous Oliver Cartwright. Who she hates.

Every year Daisy has to face insufferable Ollie and hear all about how BRILLIANT he is.  Whereas Daisy has no job, no man and no idea how to fix things.

This Christmas however Daisy is determined things will be different.  There will be no snogging Ollie under the mistletoe like when they were teenagers.  No, this year she’ll show Ollie that she’s a Responsible Adult too.

But as the champagne corks pop, and the tinsel sparkles, Uncle T has news of his own to share…and it could change Daisy's life forever…

Review:

     Utterly fabulous! There is no other word for this emotionally woven, splendid Christmas story. It is everything that we could hope for this Christmas and I can hardly wait for December now. Out of all the books I have read of her (and that is more than one in case you are wondering), this is probably her best. Ok, I am getting carried away. But really guys, this is not an exaggeration. Whether you like the festive season or not, you really MUST read this.

What could be the reasons? Well, here is some to tempt you.

• We get to see four Christmas parties, each one outdoing the previous year. And this is not a random selection of four Christmas celebrations, we also get to see the events leading up to it.
• A friends to lovers story. The chemistry between Daisy and Ollie is so palpable that we just want IT to happen. So obviously, the author makes us wait.
• Uncle Terence is one of the memorable characters that I have met. A man who doesn't frown on the new generation, but who could have guessed that among all his frolics he kept such a secret? I am not saying that he is a role model (probably not), but all the same an unforgettable person.
• Then there is his brother Charles, who you may not even notice that much. That's why I am noting him down. I don't think a person like him exists. He is a saint. Why? I guess you have to read and find out for yourself
• Last but not least, this story won't disappoint you. 

       It has ticked almost all the columns of a Christmas romance for me, and I do hope you will enjoy it too curling up on your reading nook.

Meet 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.