The Woman who Upped and Left

 by

 Fiona Gibson

Blog Tour

Forget about having it all. Sometimes you just want to leave it all behind.

Audrey is often seized by the urge to walk out of her house without looking back – but she can’t possibly do that.

She is a single parent. She is needed. She has a job, a home, responsibilities…and a slothful teenage son’s pants to pick up.

But no one likes being taken for granted – Audrey least of all – so the time has come for drastic action. And no one’s going to stand in her way…

Review

I have read one of Fiona Gibson’s books before, so I know that she tells hilarious stories of family life (especially with teenagers!) so I knew this book would be no different.

Audrey is a single mum living with her 18 year old son Morgan who seems to have his girlfriend permanently attached to his lips! I actually found Morgan so infuriating, I would have to knock some sense into him if he was my son and I did find it very frustrating that Audrey just let his actions go over her head and ended up clearing up after his girlfriend as well!!. When she leaves subtle hints to him about getting a job, he just ignores it and goes to the cupboard looking for food! Personally, I think he took after his Dad as he seemed very laid back about the whole thing as well.

When Audrey wins a competition for Dinner Lady of the year she is overwhelmed with the prize as she could have the choice between a cookery course, a spa retreat or £5000 cash! With times being tough, she goes for the cash but soon changes her mind and thinks of herself for a change (hoorah!!) and decides to go on the cookery course which is a decision that will change her life.

Some very funny parts to this book and also some love interest for Audrey along the way. 

Bloggers were asked to cook a dish that was made by Audrey at the cookery school. I was given the recipe of Raspberry Clafoutis, but unfortunately I couldn't get any raspberries this week, but will be making it as soon as I can!!

Below is the recipe you will need to make this dish along with the ingredients.

Review

The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding

by

Carole Matthews

I was very lucky to receive a hardback copy of this book as I am honoured to be a member of The Chocolate Lovers’ Club with Little Brown Books, so as soon as I finished The Chocolate Lovers’ Christmas it was straight on to this beauty!

Again, it continues from where the other book left off, with the lives of Lucy, Chantal, Nadia and Autumn.

Lucy is engaged to Crush (Aiden) and is happily planning her wedding but there is something clouding her happiness and that is that she is no longer Manageress at Chocolate Heaven. Can she ever be happy in a job again, or will she get her claws back into running her beloved chocolate shop??

Chantal is busy bringing up Lana who is a lively toddler when starts to feel unwell.  Could Chantal have something serious going on??

Nadia has fallen head over heals in love with James??? He has two children of his own who get on brilliantly with Lewis. What could possibly hold her back? Well the fact that he is a farmer living in Cumbria and has no intention of moving South could be an obstacle.

Autumn is finally getting to know her daughter Willow, who she had to give up for adoption many years ago. She is a difficult, troubled teenage, but Autumn is patient and eventually they start forming the relationship that Autumn only ever dreamed off.

Another masterpiece by Carole Matthews in bringing  the lives of these four ladies of The Chocolate Lovers’ Club up to date. There were some serious issues in this book, but delivered beautifully by the author with some great laugh out loud moments in between!

I shall miss these ladies, please don’t leave it too long before we have another update Carole!!

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Review

The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas

by

 Carole Matthews

When I heard that Carole Matthew’s was writing a new book about the girls of the Chocolate Lovers' Club I couldn’t wait to read the next instalment in the lives of Lucy, Chantal, Nadia and Autumn. Since reading the first two books many years ago, I have often wondered what had happened to them and what is so brilliant about the Chocolate Lovers' Christmas is that it picks up exactly where the last book left off!

Lucy is manageress of a very successful chocolate shop called Chocolate Heaven. It’s a place where the four ladies meet up regularly for chat, coffee and of course chocolate!

Lucy is madly in love with Crush (Aiden) who used to be her boss, but of course, old flame Marcus is never very far from the scene and always seems to turn up like a bad penny whenever anything is going well for Lucy.

Chantal is getting used to motherhood with baby Lana with her husband Ted, who whilst on a “break”, managed to father another baby called Elsie with Stacey. Chantal, being the placid, loyal, sweet person she is, tries to calm the waters and wants them all to make the best of a bad situation by becoming friends with Stacey, which is bound to backfire!

Nadia is still trying to rebuild her life after the tragic death of her husband whilst bringing up her young son Lewis. She is also hoping that a reconciliation with her sister Anita will build bridges with her Mum & Dad who cut her off when she married Toby. Things go from bad to worse when her slime ball Brother in Law, Tarak, starts up with his old tricks and tries to get Nadia to spend the night with him in a hotel! This has got to be a job for Lucy to sort out and put him straight – what could possibly go wrong……………….

Autumn is struggling to come to terms with her beloved brothers' death and is in a one sided relationship when she meets Miles and his daughter Florence one day in the park. Miles turns everything upside down and she realises that she wants more out of life than being with someone who only wants her money!

I don’t think I have read a book before where I love all the characters so much I actually think they are real! I think my favourite character has to be Lucy because everything she does, although with the greatest intent on being honourable, ends up a disaster!

Carole Matthews has done it again with this book. It’s funny as well as serious in parts and just when you think you might have to wait a few more years before you read more about the lovely ladies of the Chocolate Lovers Club, another one comes along! YIPPEE!! Just popping off to start The Chocolate Lovers Wedding………………

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http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chocolate-Lovers-Christmas-Club/dp/0751552135/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454624777&sr=1-3&keywords=carole+matthews

About Carole Matthews

Carole Matthews is the Sunday Times bestselling author of twenty-seven novels, including the Top Ten bestsellers A Cottage by the Sea, Calling Mrs Christmas, The Christmas Party and The Cake Shop in the Garden. 

In 2013, Summer Daydreams was shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan award for Fiction about Life and Love. Carole was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Comedy RoNA in 2012 and inducted into the Reader Hall of Fame by the inaugural Festival of Romance. Her novels dazzle and delight readers all over the world. She was given an award for Outstanding Achievement by the Romantic Novelists' Association in 2015. 

She is published in more than thirty countries and her books have sold to Hollywood.

For all the latest news from Carole, visit www.carolematthews.com, follow Carole on Twitter or join the thousands of readers who have become Carole's friend on Facebook

Review of The Winter Wedding by Abby Clements

They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but I most certainly did with this book because the cover is SO gorgeous! 

Blurb

Hazel never set out to be a wedding planner. She was just helping her stressed sister Lila with cakes and décor for her big day. But when Lila and Ollie's summer ceremony is a runaway success, with guests raving about the food and styling at the pretty venue, word about Hazel's expertise soon spreads. 

But Hazel's clients expect the very best - she's promised lawyers Gemma and Eliot a snow-covered castle in the Scottish Highlands, and laidback couple Josh and Sarah a bohemian beach wedding in a Caribbean paradise. But as weather, in-laws and wilful brides conspire against her, can Hazel get two very different couples to walk up two very different aisles to say 'I do'? And will she find her own happy ending if she does?

Review

If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good wedding! And just by looking at the cover of this one, I knew I was going to love it!

This is the first book I have read by this author and it was such an easy book to get into and it had a great mixture of characters.

Hazel and her twin sister Lila live together in London, but when Lila moves in with her fiancé Ollie, Hazel is left with the dilemma of finding a lodger but also how to fill the void of missing her sister. When Lila asks Hazel if she will plan her wedding as she is too busy with her career of being a dancer, Hazel jumps at the chance. Her day job isn’t going anywhere thanks to her boss Emma (who selfishly wants to keep Hazel to herself to do all her dirty work!).

Hazel does such a good job with organising Lila’s wedding that she gets asked to do another two! This is where things become complicated!!

This book is a lovely, heart warming read that has everything you will need for a good read – family, love, romance, friendship and even cake!!. I know a couple of my friends read it in one sitting, it is that easy to get into!

It’s a definite thumbs up from me and one I would recommend for a cold winter’s night with a large cuppa and and even larger bar of chocolate!!

Thank you to Hayley McMullan, Simon & Schuster, @Bookminx for sending me a copy to review

Welcome to December and the beginning of Advent! today I am pleased to host The Return of The Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan Blog Tour

Blurb

Christmas is just around the corner when Star begins working at Butterburn library, but not everyone is embracing the spirit of the season.

Sixteen-year-old Arianna’s mock exams are looming and she’s feeling under pressure. With her father living abroad and her mother working three jobs, she doesn’t have much support at home.

The bank is threatening to repossess Evan’s house, and he has no idea how he’s going to get through Christmas with two children who are used to getting everything they want.

Patricia’s cliché of a husband, after 23 years of marriage, has announced he’s moving out of the family home, and moving in with his secretary.

Daniel is doing the work of three people in his sales job, as well as looking after his kids and his wife. Pulled in too many different directions, he’s feeling stressed out.

Can Star, the library’s Good Samaritan, help set them on the path to happiness this Christmas?

Review

This is one of those feel good Christmas books that gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling once you have finished it!

Star is working in her local library for the festive season, where many of the customers are not looking forward to Christmas in one way or another.

Arianna is studying for her exams and has the added pressure of not seeing much of her mother as she is holding down numerous jobs to keep afloat.

Evan is struggling to make ends meet after losing his job.

Patricia is in shock after her husband tells her he is leaving.

Daniel is also struggling to cope with the day to day life of bringing up 3 children whilst his wife is suffering from depression.

All these people could do with a helping hand, I wonder who would be able to do that and steer them in the right direction? Star has a magical way of putting these people in the right place at the right time!

I liked the mixture of characters in this book. All had believable stories to tell of life getting them down and then getting a “helping hand” to steer them in the right direction to make things better for them.

This was a lovely Christmassy story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I actually felt like the story could have been a bit longer (it’s not often I say that about books!).

Thank you to JB Johnston and Brook Cottage Books for sending me a copy to review.

About the Author

Susan Buchanan lives in Central Scotland with her partner, Tony, and their two children. She is the author of four novels: Return of the Christmas Spirit, The Christmas Spirit, The Dating Game, and Sign of the Times. She is currently working on book five, What If.

Susan is also a proofreader, editor and translator, and when not working, writing, or caring for her two delightful cherubs, loves reading, the theatre, quiz shows and eating out - not necessarily in that order!

My Book Party for The Chocolate Lovers Christmas by Carole Matthews
#ChocolateLoversClub

I can't tell you how lucky and proud I was to be picked to host a book party for the launch of Carole Matthew's Christmas book. I took delivery of a package with 5 copies of the book, tiaras and a lovely big box of chocolates (all I would need to host a book party!). I felt there was one thing missing, so I supplied a few bottles of bubbly!!

A couple of people who are die hard Carole Matthews fans couldn't make the book party so I will post their books on to them, 

I can't wait to read my copy as I love the Chocolate Lovers books!

             

Even Lola the dog wanted to wear a tiara!!

Thank you again to Carole Matthews and Little Brown Books for picking me to host a Chocolate Lovers book party. A great time was had by all and we will all be busy over the next few weeks reading our copy of the book! 

Guest review  of Christmas Ever After by Sarah Morgan

I would like to say a huge thank you to Julie Williams, who is a big fan of Sarah Morgan's books, for agreeing to guest review Christmas Ever After for the blog.

Skylar Tempest has never understood Alec Hunter’s appeal. So what if he’s a world-renowned historian? He’s also cynical, aloof and determined to think the worst of her. So when a twist of fate finds her spending the lead-up to Christmas with Alec and his family, she’s not expecting the season to be either merry or bright.

Alec has learned the hard way not to trust beautiful women―and Skylar is the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. But as he watches her throw herself into his family’s festive chaos, Alec realises there is far more to this blonde bombshell than meets the eye.

With Christmas around the corner, Alec and Skylar return to Puffin Island, a tentative bond forged between them. Neither intends to fall in love but as the nights become darker, and the fire between them grows hotter, could this be the chance for Alec and Skylar to find their own happy ending?

Fall in love with the all new Puffin Island series from Sarah Morgan, the bestselling author who brought you Sleigh Bells in the Snow:

Book 1 - First Time in Forever - Out Now!

Book 2 - Some Kind of Wonderful - July 2015

Book 3 - Christmas Ever After - October 2015

Guest Review

Christmas Ever After is the final instalment of the puffin Series trilogy, although it can also be read as a stand alone.

This gorgeous story centres on Skylar Tempest and Alec Hunter who met at Puffin Island the previous summer but are far from being friends. They meet up again but this time in London where Alec finds himself in expectantly rescuing Sky from her controlling boyfriend Richard. As Alec is still emotionally scarred from his divorce with high maintenance Selina, romance is unthinkable.

This wonderful book explores friendships, relationships, dreams and love with warm characters featured in the previous two books of the series as well as some extraordinary new ones.

This Puffin Series has been a delight to read and leaves you with a warm ‘cosiness’ feeling.

Well done Sarah you’ve done it again!

I am a great fan of Sarah’s books and was more than happy to guest review when Julie gave me the book before publication day.

I would like to thank Cara at Mira Books UK for sending me a copy of this books for review.

And Baby Makes Four
 by Tilly Tennant
 Blog Tour
 (Final part in Mishaps in Millrise series)

Could Phoebe and Jack finally have put their troubles behind them? All is calm at Hendry’s toy store, and Jack’s mother has even developed a grudging respect for Phoebe. If Archie is serious about addressing his issues, then things are really starting to look rosy for the couple again. But when did Phoebe’s life ever go to plan? 

As they prepare for what should be the happiest day of their lives, fate decides to throw them yet another curve ball. What they face will test them to the limit, but Phoebe might just believe in miracles before it’s through. 

Review

I think you can guess by the title what happens in the final part of this lovely series! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading how Phoebe and Jack’s relationship has grown and the obstacles they have had to face from the beginning, mainly Jack having to bring up his daughter Maria alone after her Mum dies and how they both cope with that.  Phoebe being introduced to Jack’s family (in particular his domineering mother!) who finds great satisfaction in giving Phoebe a hard time.

This final part seems to tie things up, which is great, because who doesn’t love a happy ending!

Jack’s brother Archie finally sees the error of his ways and sets out to become a better person and once Phoebe and Jack come to terms with the pregnancy, things go from strength to strength, to the point where Jack asks Phoebe to marry him!

So, not only does Phoebe have her pregnancy to deal with, she has her job to secure, planning a wedding, moving in with Jack……what could possibly go wrong!!!

Well done Tilly Tennant for a lovely series. I have loved reading about the characters and am quite sad it is ending now!

Thank you to JB Johnston at Brook Cottage Books for sending me the series to review.

The Years of Loving you by Ella Harper Blog Tour

I am delighted to be a part of this blog tour and although I haven't had a chance to read the book yet, it is way up on my TBR pile! As a taster to keep you going I have an extract for you.

Ed headed straight for the window as the girl called Molly slipped outside. He followed her, knowing he had the perfect excuse in his hand should he need it; a sneaky fag was useful in so many ways. As a result, he was taken aback when Molly turned and eyed him suspiciously.

‘Are you following me?’

Ed lit his cigarette suavely but spoilt it by almost burning his fingers when he snapped his Zippo shut. ‘Shit. Er, might be. Molly, isn’t it?’

‘You know my name.’ She raised her eyebrows in a ladylike fashion. He was handsome. And he knew it. She wasn’t sure if she liked that. Obviously Molly under­stood that everyone had a mirror – it was more that she preferred confidence that came from achievement, not looks. ‘You’re following me and you know my name. There are laws against that, you know.’

‘I’m having an innocent cigarette and a friend told me your name just now. Hardly grounds for arrest, surely? I’m Ed, by the way.’

‘Hi. I’d tell you my name but clearly you already know me.’

Close up, Ed found himself drawn to Molly’s eyes. They were cat-like, shrewd. Brown. No, dark blue – an unusual shade that no doubt earned her compliments aplenty. From lesser mortals. Ed would need to come up with something more original. This was a smart, eloquent girl who looked as though she might, with impeccable manners, coolly dismiss boys who bored her.

Ed sucked on his cigarette, feeling something spark inside him. He was tired of easy girls; Molly was already challenging him.

Out of the blue, Molly smiled. Was she mocking him? Ed felt unnerved, wrong-footed. He really needed to get a grip.

‘I’m not planning to get you arrested, no.’ God, but he was sexy. Molly checked out his mouth. Kissable, definitely. Hmm. How annoying. She hadn’t felt this attracted to someone at first glance before. Was this what everyone called ‘chemistry’?

Molly pulled herself together and gestured to his singed fingers. ‘But I do think you need to learn how to use a lighter properly. Otherwise everyone will think you’re a right nobber.’

Ed let out a shout of laughter. He’d never met anyone else who used his favourite insult before. He stared at Molly. She was on the short side but perfectly propor­tioned. She had that irresistible blend of slender, with tantalising curves in all the right places. Ed was willing to bet Molly worried about the size of her bum constantly. Molly might be a challenge, but he was confident he knew how her mind worked. To a degree. Because Ed could modestly acknowledge that he knew a fair amount about girls. He caught sight of her bum as she began to walk away from him and almost dropped his cigarette. Delectable. Rounded. Ripe. Bloody hell. Better than he’d imagined. Hang on; where was she going?

‘I’m off to do some stargazing,’ Molly said, as though she had heard his thoughts. She sincerely hoped he wasn’t looking at her bum. She always worried about it, stressed that it was a little on the large side. ‘I think if you carry on walking in that direction, you get to the beach, right?’ She began strolling but threw a glance over her shoulder. ‘Aren’t you coming, shadow?’

The Years of Loving You is published on 19th November.

The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance by Kirsty Greenwood – Guest review by Julie Williams

I signed up to the Readathon Hospitals Fundraising Event arranged by Jennifer Marston where participants initially had to vote which book they wanted to read. The clear winner was this book , (although I have to admit it wasn't the one that I voted for!) 

The challenge was to read and review it in 24 hours on 4^th October 2015. Unfortunately it took me slightly longer due to other commitments.

As I am not a Blogger, Julie (Boon's Bookcase) has kindly let me review this on her blog.

As I love Chick Lit I was more than happy to download onto my kindle and get stuck in!

This is an easy read as it is quite funny with not too many but interesting characters.

Jess Beam is the central character who is the 'party girl' of Manchester but has huge commitment issues. All that changes when her life is suddenly turned upside down and she moves in with her Grandmother and she discovers the truth about her parents lives through hidden diaries.

I am pleased that Jess does overcome her relationship issues and the ability to care for others. As I don't want to give anything away you will have to read this book yourself and discover just how she gets on!!

Thank you to Julie Williams for being a Guest Reviewer for this book.

Today I'm delighted to reveal the cover of.........

 THE YEARS OF LOVING YOU 

by Ella Harper

From the award-winning author of PIECES OF YOU comes this enthralling love story, guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and dream upon a star…

What if your first love was your only love?

When Molly is diagnosed with a life changing illness, it feels like her whole world has come crashing down. She hopes the news will make her marriage to Sam stronger. But why does Molly always call best friend Ed in a crisis?

Ed. The very same Ed that Molly fell in love with at a party when they were teenagers, underneath a star-filled sky. Then life took them in very different directions. They could only ever be friends.

Suddenly Molly starts to question every decision she’s ever made. What if they could turn back the clock? Back to the very beginning. When the only certainty they shared was each other …

Ella Harper

As a shy teenager, Ella Harper found a way to escape by learning foreign languages, and imagined she might eventually get a glamorous job speaking French. After completing a BA in French and Russian Studies, she found herself following in her father’s footsteps into banking instead, seduced by the excitement and glamour of that world. But after climbing her way to Assistant Vice President, Ella started idly mapping out the beginnings of a novel on an old laptop. When she realised her characters were more real to her than dividends and corporate actions ever could be, she left her job to become a writer. Eight years later, and Ella has published four hugely popular novels under the name Sasha Wagstaff. 

I love this cover and really hope I get the chance to read it! 

I'm SO excited to reveal the cover for Julia Williams new book Make A Christmas Wish

Last Christmas, when Livvy was knocked down in the supermarket car park, she certainly wasn’t ready to actually be dead! For months now she’s floated on the edge of the afterlife, generally making a nuisance of herself.

And she’s not ready to go just yet! She’s furious about the new woman in her husband’s life and she’s worried about her beloved son who doesn’t seem to be adjusting to life without her at all.

This Christmas, Livvy is given one last magical chance to make everything right. Will she take it and give her family the perfect Christmas?

Perfect for fans of CAROLE MATTHEWS, TRISHA ASHLEY and JENNY COLGAN.

Author bio:

Julia has always made up stories in her head, and until recently she thought everyone else did too. She grew up in London, one of eight children, including a twin sister. She married Dave, a dentist, in 1989, and they have four daughters. After the birth of the second Julia decided to try her hand at writing. Since then she has written 8 hugely popular novels, selling over a quarter of a million copies in the UK alone, and hitting the Sunday Times bestseller list.

A Parcel for Anna Browne by Miranda Dickinson Blog Tour

Today it's my turn to host the Blog Tour for A Parcel for Anna Browne and today is a special day as it's publication day!!

I have chosen to give you an excerpt of the first chapter from this book, as I must confess, I haven't finished it yet! I hope it gives you a taster of Miranda's 7th book and having read all of her others, I hope this one proves to be just as good as the others!

Enjoy Chapter One of A Parcel for Anna Browne...........

The UPS deliveryman waited in line, checking his watch. It had been a long day already and he still had two hours of his shift remaining. Traffic was backed up two miles out of the city on the main arteries and it was only going to get worse as the weekend rush began. He would be late – as he was nearly every Friday evening. His wife would not be happy. Neither would his kid, waiting for Daddy to come home and try out his new football in the back garden. Like he’d promised . . .

Ahead of him a line of three people waited not so patiently to receive security passes. They were red-faced and rude, loudly voicing their annoyance as a young receptionist did her best to remain affable. Too many people in this city were willing to engage their mouths before their brains, the deliveryman concluded. God forbid he should ever have to work in a city building. Trapped inside steel walls, breathing everyone else’s recycled air, office politics as unforgiving as the air con – that wasn’t the life for him. Visiting them on his round was bad enough. The sense of relief he felt climbing back into his delivery van confirmed the rightness of his career choice. At least he could drive away from places like these, even if it was to visit identical buildings somewhere else in the city.

He glanced up at the large atrium, rising six storeys to a domed glass ceiling, the imposing architecture befitting a national newspaper. Marble floors and mahogany fixtures, subtle uplighting and large brushed-steel planters filled with greenery at the feet of a glass lift, which reminded him of a Roald Dahl story he’d read as a boy. It was the kind of building his brother Warren would kill to enter, with his cheap suit and greedy ambition. Not that the dodgy knock-offs his brother peddled were ever likely to get him into this place. Warren could take the mickey out of him all he liked for being a ‘jumped-up postie’, but it meant he could enter fancy city buildings where his brother would never be admitted. That was something. Smiling to himself a little unkindly, the deliveryman stepped forward as the party ahead of him moved on.

The young woman behind the reception desk apologised for his wait. She had a pretty smile, he thought, the kind that transforms a face when it appears.

‘How can I help you today?’

The deliveryman lifted up a package. ‘I have a parcel . . .’ he checked the label, ‘for Anna Browne?’

The woman’s pale-blue eyes widened. ‘Oh. That’s me.’

Her apparent shock made him grin. In a round made up exclusively of business deliveries to corporate offices, it wasn’t often that somebody was surprised to receive a package.

‘You weren’t expecting anything?’

‘No, not at all.’ She leaned forward a little, lowering her voice. ‘I never get parcels – not here or at home,’ she confided, peering at the package.

‘Must be your lucky day, sweetheart,’ the deliveryman smiled, giving her his handheld device and leaning against the desk while she signed. ‘You have a good day.’ He paused while he debated whether or not to say more, and then went ahead. ‘Hope it’s something nice.’



There have been lots of clues about the gifts Anna has been receiving. I came back from a mini break in Suffolk to these charms in the post!

And there have been lots of clues from Miranda herself on Twitter regarding a fabulous Treasure Hunt competition........

This is going to be such an exciting competition with some fab prizes up for grabs! keep your eyes peeled and don't forget to follow Miranda Dickinson on Twitter to find out more!!