A Christmas Kiss - Eliza J. Scott (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 19/10/2019

Author: Eliza J. Scott

Publication Date: November 4, 2019

My Rating: 5/5

 

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

 

About the book:

 

A sparkling festive romance that will warm your heart this Christmas.
The week before Christmas, GP Zander Gillespie finds his festive plans in tatters. He’s supposed to be flying out to his parents’ chateau in Carcassonne with his high-maintenance girlfriend, Melissa. But she has other ideas. She wants to spend Christmas in London with her party friends – and he’s not invited.

The prospect of facing his family, with their questions and their sympathy – not to mention the ‘I told you so-s’ - just isn’t an option. Instead, Zander decides to head to his holiday cottage in the quaint moorland village of Lytell Stangdale, where he intends to hide away with his faithful rescue Labrador Alf.

Eighty miles away, Livvie’s world has come crashing down. With plans to cook a romantic meal for her boyfriend, she heads home early and walks in on him in a compromising position with their neighbour. Fed-up of his lies and philandering ways, this is the final straw.

With her Christmas plans up in smoke, the thought of spending it with her parents and her smug, married sister with her pompous husband in tow, is enough to bring Livvie out in hives. So, when she fires up her laptop and finds the perfect little holiday cottage in Lytell Stangdale available to rent over the festive period, it seems the perfect solution. Or is it…?

Zander didn't believe in love at first sight until he set eyes on Livvie. Livvie had sworn off men until she met Zander. The pair may be reluctant to give in to temptation, but fate seems to have other ideas...

Join Livvie and Zander - and all the usual characters - for a magical Christmas in Lytell Stangdale. The perfect cosy read to snuggle up with this Christmas

 

Review:

 

      Love at first sight? My usual response will be a smirk. So if I am giving a five star to this book that means the cute storyline and beautiful storyline has charmed even the cynic in me. Without a doubt, this is one of the cosiest reads that I have the pleasure of reading this year.

     This is the fourth book in the Life on the Moors series but can be read as a standalone. The characters from the previous stories make an appearance, but that doesn't need to hinder your reading pleasure. It didn't for me. Livvie and Zander and Alf, the intelligent dog, build up quite an atmosphere that makes you wish for Christmas every day. Sure, this little quadruple takes a major chunk of our attention and one could never tire of reading his gimmicks. He seems to take seriously his self-appointed duty as a chaperone to his master. Well, that means there was a rather long wait for us readers for the Christmas kiss mentioned in the title. Sigh!

       Altogether, a festive read that will make you warm and fuzzy with some pretty characters and a closely-knit community. Highly recommended . . .

 

Meet the author:

 

Eliza lives in a 17th-century cottage on the edge of 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. 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.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heart-warming stories with happy endings.

  

Mother and Child - Annie Murray (Spot light)

Author: Annie Murray

Publisher: Pan

Publication Date: October 17, 2019

Source: NetGalley

About the book:

Mother and Child by Sunday Times bestseller Annie Murray is a moving story of loss, friendship and hope over two generations . . .

Jo and Ian’s marriage is hanging by a thread. One night almost two years ago, their only child, Paul, died in an accident that should never have happened. They have recently moved to a new area of Birmingham, to be near Ian’s mother Dorrie who is increasingly frail. As Jo spends more time with her mother-in-law, she suspects Dorrie wants to unburden herself of a secret that has cast a long shadow over her family.

Haunted by the death of her son, Jo catches a glimpse of a young boy in a magazine who resembles Paul. Reading the article, she learns of a tragedy in India . . . But it moves her so deeply, she is inspired to embark on a trip where she will learn about unimaginable pain and suffering.

As Jo learns more, she is determined to do her own small bit to help. With the help of new friends, Jo learns that from loss and grief, there is hope and healing in her future.

A word from the author:

Soon after midnight on the morning of December 3rd, 1984, what is still recognized as the world’s worst-ever industrial disaster took place in the city of Bhopal in central India.

A plant built to manufacture pesticide, owned by the American Union Carbide Corporation, leaked 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas, one of the most lethally toxic gases in the industry, over the surrounding neighbourhood. This was a poor area consisting mainly of slum housing, some of it leaning right up against the factory wall.

People woke, coughing and choking. Panic broke out as many tried to flee for their lives. As they ran, their bodies broke down with toxic poisoning, eyes burning, frothing at the mouth. Women miscarried pregnancies. Many people flung themselves in the river and by dawn, the streets were littered with thousands of bodies. It is estimated that 10,000 died that first night and the death toll continued, within weeks, to a total of about 25 000. Many more have died since. There are still reckoned to be 150 000 chronically ill survivors. Their plight was not helped by the fact that Union Carbide would not release the name of an antidote to a poison that they did not want to admit was as dangerous as it really was.

The plant, making less profit than had been hoped, was being run down for closure and was in poor condition. Not one of the safety systems was working satisfactorily. In addition, the original design of the factory had been ‘Indianized’ – in other words, built more cheaply than would be expected of such a plant in a western country.

This was 35 years ago. In 1989, a paltry amount of compensation was eventually paid by Union Carbide who did everything a large corporation can do to evade taking responsibility. Their comment was “$500 is about enough for an Indian.” That was $500 to last for the rest of the life of a man who could no longer work to look after his family.

The sickness and suffering from ‘that night’ goes on in those who survived to this day. What is less well known about Bhopal however, is that even before the 1984 gas leak, the company had been dumping toxic waste in solar evaporation ponds. The lining used was about like you would use in a garden water feature. This in a country of heavy rains and floods. In the early 80s, people started to notice how bad their water supply tasted. Cows were dying.

Union Carbide closed the plant. They never cleared the site, which still stands in an area of highly toxic soil and water. The water supply in that area is so contaminated that water has to be brought in from outside. In 2001 Union Carbide was bought by the Dow Chemical Company, and is, from 2018, now DowDuPont. Despite having acquired all the assets of Union Carbide they are not prepared to accept its liabilities and clear up the site.

In the months after the gas leak in 1984, the nearby Hamidia hospital started to see children born with birth defects more horrific than any they had witnessed before. These days, because of gas- and also water-affected parents, the rate of birth defects is now reaching into a third, soon to be the fourth generation. The main parallel with the kind of extreme toxic effects would be with the children of Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The only free care in this impoverished neighbourhood for people suffering from the effects of gas poisoning, or to help with very severely handicapped children, is from the Bhopal Medical Appeal. It is to them that all the money from Mother and Child is going.

In the book, you can read more about what happened in Bhopal and about how the book itself came to be written.

Meet the author: 

Annie Murray was a ‘childhood writer.’ Her career was helped a great deal by belonging to Tindal Street Fiction Group in Birmingham and by winning the SHE/Granada TV Short Story Competition in 1991. She has published short stories in a number of anthologies as well as SHE magazine. Her first regional saga, Birmingham Rose appeared in 1995 and reached the Times bestseller list. She has since published more than a dozen others, including the ‘Cadbury books,’ Chocolate Girls and The Bells of Bournville Green, Family of Women and her latest, A Hopscotch Summer. Annie has four children and lives near Reading.

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.

Only Mostly Devastated - Sophie Gonzales

Date of Reading: 12/09/2019

Author: Sophie Gonzales

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: March 3, 2020

Source: NetGalley 

My Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets Clueless, inspired by Grease.

When Ollie meets his dream guy, Will, over summer break, he thinks he’s found his Happily Ever After. But once summer’s ended, Will stops texting him back, and Ollie finds himself one prince short of a fairytale ending. To complicate the fairytale further, a family emergency sees Ollie uprooted and enrolled at a new school across the country—Will’s school—where Ollie finds that the sweet, affectionate and comfortably queer guy he knew from summer isn’t the same one attending Collinswood High. This Will is a class clown, closeted—and, to be honest, a bit of a jerk.

Ollie has no intention of pining after a guy who clearly isn’t ready for a relationship. But as Will starts ‘coincidentally’ popping up in every area of Ollie’s life, from music class to the lunch table, Ollie finds his resolve weakening.

The last time he gave Will his heart, Will handed it back to him trampled and battered. Ollie would have to be an idiot to trust him with it again.

Right?

Right.  

Review:

      I do have a soft spot for high school romances, especially the one involving a coming-out story. Oh, not that I miss school days😬 . . .  just prefer the adult life without the worries of exam grades and revisions. All the same, glad to receive a copy of this book through a wish in netgalley.
      The novel progresses through the perspective of Ollie (yes, our devastated hero). Brave and caring, he manages to win our hearts from the very beginning. There are no usual teenage tantrums as we expect, instead we are shown to the life of a mature boy (partly owing to his upbringing) who steps in to help his aunt in the time of need.  
      And that brings me to the next character: Aunt Linda. She may not have that many appearances, but her influence permeates throughout; some sad and some inspiring. It could be because I am on bed rest with a herniated disk that her plight drew me in. It is not anywhere near cancer, but she gave me the much needed catharsis. There are sometimes in our lives, we are confronted with some unexpected and unsurmountable barriers, and that in turn make us realise how much we are going to miss some ordinary things. So the way Linda approached her deadly illness, reminds one of the importance of little things.
      Will, Ollie's Disney prince, has his own demons to fight. Unlike his lover, his parents and friends are not open to his sexuality. His problems could be the usual ones, but the author way of dealing it is quite refreshing. Well, some scenes are quite unoriginal but that didn't stop me from shouting out with glee (internally, of course).
      Altogether a beautiful, heartwarming story that will make you weep and smile till the blissful end. Surely something to mark your calenders for in 2020.

Meet the author:

Sophie Gonzales writes Young Adult queer rom coms with memorable characters, biting wit and endless heart.

She is the author of The Law of Inertia, which released 2018 with Amberjack Publishing. Her debut YA rom-com, Only Mostly Devastated, is slated for Winter 2020 through Wednesday Books / Macmillan.

When she isn’t writing, Sophie can be found ice skating, performing in musical theatre, and practicing the piano. She currently lives in Melbourne, Australia where she works as a psychologist. She is represented by Moe Ferrara of Bookends Literary Agency.      

One Christmas Star - Mandy Baggot

Date of Reading: 20/09/2019

Author: Mandy Baggot

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: September 12, 2019

Source: NetGalley 

My Rating: 4.5/5

 

About the book:

 

Emily Parker is set to have the worst Christmas ever! 

 

Her flatmate's moved out, she's closed her heart to love and she's been put in charge of the school original Christmas show – with zero musical ability.

Disgraced superstar, Ray Stone is in desperate need of a quick PR turnaround. Waking up from a drunken stupor to a class of ten-year-olds snapping pics and Emily looking at him was not what he had in mind.

Ray needs Emily's help to delete the photos, and she needs his with the show. As they learn to work together they may just open their hearts to more than a second chance...

My Review:

    I don't know why I have never picked up a Mandy Baggot book before. Ok, I retract that, I know the reason. I have been quite stupid and well, maybe it was not the right time. Anyway, here I am kicking myself for all the lost opportunities. So take heed folks, and don't be like me. If you are planning to read only one Christmas book this year, let it be this one.
     A primary school teacher struggling set up a Christmas play and a disgraced musician in need of a new start. Nothing much in common if you ask me. But the season of miracles plays its just part and hurray! . . . what we have is a tantalising love story. 
     Emily Parker is a model teacher (someone I would like to be one day). She wins her students' hearts and cares for them deeply. But winning the approval of the school head and the diocese is an altogether different matter. Both of them may not go together. Still, she keeps it together until the very end. As all HP fans believe, 'help is always there, when you seek it' (well, something like that).
     Ray, on the other hand, is a different story. He is not our arrogant musician, drinking up the fame. He is  . . . hmm. . . a bit too soft. This is not something I blame, but as one of my besties used to say "if you are willing to be a doormat, you have no room to complain when others stomp on you". There is a time for compassion, but that should not degrade you as a person. I am glad that he stood up for himself at the end (this was really trying my patience). 
    I cannot finish this review without referring to Jonah and Allen, the gay couple who are the source behind most of the fun. I would have loved to hear their story. Truely a match made in heaven. And there are the children -- Jayden, Rashid, Alice, Cherry, Angelica, Felix, Mathew, Makenzie, Frema, Charlie and Lucas -- if you were real, I would have loved to meet you all. A teacher's true joy comes from his/ her students' achievements. I am sure you are all going to make Emily proud. 
    Am I making you sentimental? Yes, that is the other thing that I want to remind. Keep some tissues at hand. You will definitely need them by the end. Happy reading everyone! 

Meet the author:

Mandy Baggot is an internationally bestselling and award-winning romance writer.

The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance, her romantic comedy novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association's Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016.

Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, white wine, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1's Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor.
Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.

Christmas at Frozen Falls - Kiley Dunbar

Date of Reading: 9/9/2019

Author: Kiley Dunbar

Publisher: Hera

Publication Date: September 4, 2019

Source: NetGalley 

My Rating: 4/5

 

About the book:

 

Christmas magic can thaw the coldest of hearts…
  Sylvie Magnusson is going to be lonely this Christmas. Instead of jetting off for her sunshine honeymoon, she’s freezing at home in Cheshire. Guess that’s what happens when your fiancé dumps you a week before your wedding…

Sylvie’s best friend, Nari, plans a trip to see the Northern Lights and get Sylvie’s mojo back. But as their Lapland getaway approaches, Sylvie realises that Frozen Falls is the hometown of Stellan Virtanen, her dreamy Finnish ex-boyfriend, the one that got away. Even though he actually ran away, and Sylvie never understood why…

Luckily, when they meet, Stellan’s still gorgeous – and her heart is warmed when he shows her the romantic delights of Lapland (as well as some seriously adorable Husky puppies). But when she returns to England can she really leave Stellan behind? Or will she find that her heart belongs in the frozen North?

Curl up with the perfect cosy Christmas read this winter. Fans of Sarah Morgan and Carole Matthews will adore this feel-good, heart-warming rom-com.

My Review:

      Less than hundred days to Christmas and the literary world is already abuzz with Christmas books. So if you are not yet in the festive spirit, this story will be the perfect start. Travel to Finnish Lapland, hug some cute huskies,  see the Northern Lights and experience the magic of Christmas along with Sylvie and Nari.
      Yes, yes, I know. It is not even winter, but what does it matter to a talented author. Off we go to the winter wonderland, all thanks to the beautiful writing of Kiley Dunbar. And the love story is just the icing of the cake. Oops! my bad. It is love stories since there are not one but two.
      For Sylvie and Stellan this is a second chance at love, while for Nari and Niilo, it is love at first sight (love the way their names rhyme). Narrated through multiple perspectives, we get to experience each character's emotional turmoil, all leading to a much expected and cutely visioned happy ending.
       So don't forget to add this cosy, cute romance to your Christmas reading list. Have a great time enjoying the wintry nights in Lapland!

Meet the author:

Kiley Dunbar is the author of heart-warming, escapist, romantic fiction set in beautiful places. She is Scottish and lives in England with her husband, two kids and Amos the Bedlington Terrier. She writes around her work at a University in the North of England where she lectures in English Literature and creative writing. She is proud to be a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and a graduate of their New Writers' Scheme.