Summer is on the horizon, and the people of Porthmellow are eagerly awaiting the annual food festival. At least, most of them are…
For Sam Lovell, organising the summer festival in her hometown is one of the highlights of her year. It’s not always smooth sailing, but she loves to see Porthmellow’s harbour packed with happy visitors, and being on the committee has provided a much-needed distraction from the drama in her family life (and the distinct lack of it in her love life).
When their star guest pulls out with only a few weeks to go, everyone’s delighted when a London chef who grew up locally steps in at the last minute. But Gabe Matthias is the last person Sam was expecting to see, and his return to Porthmellow will change her quiet coastal life forever.
Curl up with this gorgeous novel and savour the world of Porthmellow Harbour.
I received a copy of this book from Avon Books UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
The author’s love of Cornwall and all things Cornish is evident in this story. The characters of Porthmellow harbour are authentic, and all have a story to tell and secrets to keep.
Sam loves the food festival, it gives her a focus away from the family drama and helps promote the harbour town she loves. Sam and Gabe have history and working in close proximity threaten more than the festival.
Lots of characters and a taste of their stories make this a complex but interesting book. You know that you will meet them again as the series progresses.
At its heart, this is a story of community, the inherent closeness that means everyone takes an interest in each other’s life, sometimes this is intrusive, sometimes comical but nearly always well meant and important for the harbour to survive.
A charming story full of heart, secrets and love, looking forward to the next one.
When Isabella Jenkins is unceremoniously fired from her fancy London job, she escapes to Tuscany. A few weeks hiding amongst rolling hills and grape vines at Villa Limoncello sounds exactly like the distraction she needs.
But Italy holds emotional memories for Izzy and with a hapless handyman, a matchmaking village matriarch and a gorgeous – if infuriating – local chef named Luca Castelotti, her quiet Italian getaway turns into an unending cacophony of chaos.
Suddenly Izzie finds herself on a mission to pull off the wedding of the century and maybe get her life in order in the process. If only Luca’s gorgeous smile wasn’t such a powerful distraction…
Guest Post -Daisy James-Wedding Bells at Villa Limoncello
First of all, a huge thank you for
having me as a guest on your blog. It’s great to be here to tell you about my
brand-new book Wedding Bells at Villa Limoncello.
Anyone who has read one of my books
will know that I love writing stories with a strong sense of place and Villa
Limoncello series is no exception. I spent an amazing few days in Tuscany last
year and loved it so much I just knew I had to write a story that was set
there.
I had a fabulous time researching the
area around Florence; the art, the history, the culture, the traditions, the
scenic towns and villages, the vineyards, but mainly the cuisine! Italy is
famous for its fabulous pizzas and pasta dishes, and its amazing wine – think
prosecco and Chianti – but it’s also well-known for its delicious desserts from
tiramisu to cannoli, from panforte to the many flavours of gelato – blue cheese
and walnut flavour anyone?
In Wedding bells at Villa Limoncello,
Izzie is asked to organise a film shoot at a care-worn villa in the Tuscan
hills where she meets Luca who is a chef at the local trattoria. This gave me
the chance to investigate the recipes particular to the area, as well as the
passion with which Italians approach every aspect of their food – after all,
Italy is where the ‘slow-food’ movement started as a reaction to the creeping
invasion of ‘fast food’. I even read about one family who hadn’t spoken to
their neighbours for twenty years because they put parsley in their minestrone
– there’s passion for you!
As Luca bakes up a storm in the
story, I couldn’t include a culinary scene without having taste-tested the
recipes myself, so I set about having a go at some of the many desserts that
Italy, and especially Tuscany, is famous for. My attempt at ice cream – apricot
and amaretto flavour with crushed biscotti went down very well even though it
didn’t set properly. I then moved on the baking a batch of ricciarelli which are oval-shaped biscuits made with almonds and
dusted in icing sugar – absolutely delicious.
Image Credit – Daisy James
However, my favourite recipe has to
be limoncello tiramisu. It was the perfect dessert for a summer barbeque and
I’ve made it many times because it is so easy to make – no baking required!
Here’s Izzie’s recipe:
Izzie’s Limoncello Tiramisu
Ingredients
100g caster sugar
100ml limoncello
Zest & juice of 3 lemons
50ml water
500g mascarpone
500ml double cream
10g icing sugar
100g lemon curd
200g sponge fingers
Method
Place the caster sugar, water and the zest and juice of two lemons into a small pan and heat until the sugar is dissolved. Add half the limoncello and simmer until syrupy. Set aside to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the mascarpone until smooth, then add the double cream, the remaining limoncello, the zest and juice of the remaining lemon and the lemon curd and stir together.
Carefully soak the sponge fingers with the syrup and placed in the base of a ceramic dish, or individual glass dessert dishes, then spoon over a generous helping of the cream mixture and repeat, finishing off with a sprinkle of finely grated lemon zest and a dusting of finely grated milk chocolate. Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours. Serve with home-made limoncello cocktails.
Buon Appetitio!
I received a copy of this book from Canelo in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
A lovely sad heroine, who is unable to come to terms with losing her twin, a cast of authentic Italians and a Summery, vivid setting, combine to make this romcom a must-read summer book.
Izzy is an interior designer, but after the untimely loss of her twin, she is full of guilt, grief and greyness. This reflects in all aspects of her life. When fate intervenes with an opportunity to stage a fake wedding in Tuscany, she decides to live a little and grasp the opportunity to put some colour and zest back in her drab life.
I loved that each chapter began with a little phrase and a colour, it set the scene and chartered Izzy’s moods perfectly. The plot is simple and the pacing gently, both fitting in with a lighthearted, but sometimes poignant romantic comedy, set in a place full of colour and visual imagery.
The balance of comedy and romance is perfect, and the setting is full of sunshine, it makes you feel warmer and happier with every chapter. With the added bonus of lovely food and more complications than you could ever imagine, this book would make a great film. I look forward to the next in the series of the #TuscanTrilogy.
Daisy James is a Yorkshire girl transplanted to the northeast of England. She loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. When not scribbling away in her summerhouse, she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something pink and fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea – china plates and teacups are a must.
Primrose Farm is Rachel’s very own slice of heaven. Come rain or shine there’s always a pot of tea brewing by the Aga, the delicious aroma of freshly baked puddings, and a chorus of happy memories drifting through the kitchen.
But the farm is in a spot of trouble. As the daffodils spring, Rachel must plant the seeds of change if she wants to keep the farm afloat, and it’s all resting on a crazy plan. She’ll need one family cookbook, her Mum Jill’s baking magic – and a reason to avoid her distractingly gorgeous neighbour, Tom . . .
Swapping their wellies for aprons, can Rachel and Jill bake their way into a brighter future? The proof will be in the pudding!
I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK – Harper Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
‘Rachel’s Pudding Pantry’, is a lovely mix of family drama, friendship, romance and humour, with a sprinkling of poignant life experiences that may have you reaching for the tissues.
Not surprisingly, it is full of delicious puddings, as Rachel and her mother strive to find a way of keeping the family farm. There is an empowering, female family dynamic, spanning four generations, which withstands the heartache and tragedy the Swinton women have to face.
The story’s romance grows from an interesting take on the ‘boy next door’ trope. Tom, the attractive farmer at the neighbouring farm is always there to help out, Rachel grew up with him, so he can only ever be a friend, can’t he? The romance is sweet but embroiled in conflict. Is it worth losing their longstanding friendship for a chance of something deeper but riskier?
The Swinton women are easy to like, and all have a strength of character born out of adversity and familial love. They are believable and are written so that you can visualise them and become invested in their future happiness.
The authentic setting in a North Northumberland farming community is another attractive aspect of this book, I love this area and the descriptions and ethos of the community recounted in this story, make it an even more enjoyable read.
Written in addictive, short chapters that get you hooked, each has a title that includes a pudding or cake, which gives the story an added appeal but also makes you reach for the cake tin.
There is a clever connection between the puddings and the emotion of the story. Warm, soft Brownies equating to a warm, empathic friend. Sweet Sticky Toffee Pudding, synonymous with a comforting, conversation with your family.
The perfect holiday read, ‘Rachel’s Pudding Pantry’, delivers a well-paced story about family, friends, loyalty and love, against a background of community, hard work, heartbreak, and heartwarming romance, as the Swinton women learn how to adapt to change, to secure their family legacy.
ARC
Q&A with Caroline Roberts – Rachel’s Pudding Pantry
Is there a specific place or moment that inspired you to create The Pudding Pantry?
I think the initial spark was when I saw an image in a
magazine of a lovely stone barn that had been converted into beautiful cottages
in Northumberland, and I also knew of tearooms and farm shops that have been
created in old farm buildings in the area. I was interested in the idea of diversification
in farming, and the need for Rachel and her family to take this step to give
Primrose Farm a future. It was lovely to imagine how The Pudding Pantry would
look once finished, and what a cosy, welcoming place it would become, full of
scrumptious bakes and cakes.
What did you most enjoy about writing this novel (apart from sampling some delicious puddings of course!)?
The romance! How can I not mention the gorgeous next-door farmer, Tom? There is even a rather wonderful, Poldark-style chest-bearing moment that takes Rachel rather by surprise. We see the relationship grow between Rachel and Tom, despite age differences and being farming neighbours, and it’s lovely how that romance unfolds between them, I enjoyed writing that.
Image Credit – Caroline Roberts
And what were some of your absolute favourite puddings that you sampled along the way?
It’s been such hard research, hah, but somebody had to do it!! Sticky toffee pudding is up there as one of my all-time favourites, and I do love a pavlova with summer fruits, the raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake I adapted myself and was very pleased with the result, Susan Green’s Ginger Pudding is a delight, and you obviously can’t beat some gorgeous apple crumble – I like mine with a little warming spice and cream.
Image Credit – Caroline Roberts
We love seeing photos of your gorgeous dog Jarvis on twitter! Does he help or hinder your writing routine?
Hah, at the moment he is still only nine months old, so I
have to admit when I need to settle quietly to write at home, he just wants to
play and is a bit of hindrance, bless him. But when we are out and about on our
walks together, I do get inspired by the landscapes and changing seasons around
me. Both Jarvis and my last dog, Meg, who are cocker spaniels, inspire my
doggie characters – being Alfie, the spaniel, in the Chocolate Shop books and now
Moss, the wonderful border collie, in Rachel’s Pudding Pantry.
Image Credit – Caroline Roberts
And has your writing routine changed over the course of your career?
I’ve had to become more focussed with my writing; having
written seven books in four years. So, I have my own writing room – in the
small bedroom. I also have a proper chair and desk now, rather than writing in
the conservatory or at the kitchen table as my back was beginning to feel it.
But I can write anywhere if need be, as I still write my first draft of each
scene longhand then type it up later. If inspiration strikes, I can often be
found up at 3am jotting down notes or even whole lines of dialogue that just
appear in my head in the middle of the night – strange but true!
What would you most like for readers to take away from Rachel’s Pudding Pantry?
I’d like my readers to be able to escape for a while into
Rachel’s world, with a heart-warming read that feels like a hug in a book.
Rachel’s Pudding Pantry, like your previous novels, is so joyful and warm. However, it does still tackle some serious issues. How do you balance writing about things like grief without taking away from the uplifting nature of your stories?
I want my books to reflect real life with all its trials and
tribulations, which I know can be so very hard at times, so I’m not afraid to
explore the impact of grief and loss. However, I am a very optimistic person
and I strongly believe in the power of love, family, and friendship, to help us
heal and in being kind to ourselves too. That’s where the journey of the story
and our lives take us, and I want readers to feel there is always hope.
Back Cover – ARC
Image Credit Caroline Roberts
Caroline Roberts lives in the wonderful Northumberland countryside with her husband and credits the sandy beaches, castles and rolling hills around her as inspiration for her writing. She enjoys writing about relationships; stories of love, loss and family, which explore how beautiful and sometimes complex love can be. A slice of cake, glass of bubbly and a cup of tea would make her day – preferably served with friends! She believes in striving for your dreams, which led her to a publishing deal after many years of writing.
When bestselling romance author Chloe Piper’s marriage implodes a week before Christmas, she flees her cheating ex and the village gossips for the solitude of the newly built Sunny Meadow Farm and the company of her hapless dog, Ronnie.
But Chloe is soon pushed out of her comfort zone. Because with a lively development building crew – headed up by charmingAlex – and a larger-than-life neighbour determined to make Chloe’s love life her pet project, Chloe finds herself in a whole new world of chaos…
Faith drained her glass and released a lengthy contented
sigh. The log burner was still glowing orange, and shadows danced across the
floor where Ronnie now lay asleep.
‘You made the right decision to
leave Appletree and start again,’ said Faith, holding onto the stem of her
glass and eyeing it as if it might magically refill itself. ‘This house is much
nicer than your old one and William’s a complete tosser.’
Chloe didn’t respond. She was mellow
thanks to the champagne and reality was replacing the excitement of moving. It
felt strange being in a house without the memorabilia she’d been used to having
around her – the funny animal sculptures she and William had bought together
from a local artist, the teapot collection she’d started, the paintings and photographs
on their walls she’d looked at every day for the last ten years. It was gone.
The smell of the old place, the familiar creaks she’d become accustomed to: the
birds that nested every year under their guttering, the crackle of the fire in
their large open fireplace and the way she’d sink into the cushions on their
old settee were now memories and she had yet to make new ones to replace them.
It would take time. William was also memory now – a bittersweet memory.
‘It won’t last,’ Faith continued,
referring to William’s relationship with Lilly, the Swedish bombshell who was
now part of her soon-to-be ex-husband’s life. Chloe knew her friend was trying
to be supportive but she didn’t want to discuss William’s latest girlfriend.
Whether it lasted or not was irrelevant – the fact was he’d cheated on her and
not just the once. Before Lilly, there’d been others and poor dumb Chloe had
been too stupid to realise. She threw Faith a smile and pushed herself into a
standing position.
‘Wine?’ she said.
Faith waved her glass in response.
Chloe caught sight of her reflection
in the large windows as she walked through to the kitchen. She ought to draw
the curtains but there was no one to overlook the house, and by the door, she
halted. There was no light pollution at all. The sky was never as inky black as
this in Appletree. There’d always been pavements illuminated by street lights
or light from people’s homes leaking into the manicured front gardens, or car
headlights strobing up and down the road. This was darkness like she’d never
experienced before and yet it wasn’t dark. As her eyes grew accustomed to it,
she saw the sky was dotted with thousands… no, millions of pinpricks of lights
from stars, and the sudden realisation took her breath away. This was
magnificent. Faith shouted out. ‘Oy, where’s that wine? You haven’t gone in
search of the sexy carpenter, have you?’ She followed her comment with a hearty
chuckle.
‘Coming.’
She turned from the door, catching again a glimpse of her face – pale, heart-shaped and framed with long dark brown hair – a face that had aged ten years in the last ten months. She’d never been what anyone would call pretty but she’d looked well and now-now she just looked drained. William had sucked all the joy from her, little by little at first and then towards the end, in huge amounts. If it hadn’t been for the success of her novel and Faith’s friendship, she’d have gone under. She turned away and grabbed the chilled wine from the fridge door, reached for a corkscrew in the top drawer and smiled: she’d gone to the drawer automatically, instinctively as if she’d lived here far longer than a few hours. She took it as a sign that she’d be fine and yanking the cork from the bottle she raised it victoriously towards the lounge.
‘You want a fresh glass?’
‘Damn right I do… fetch those ones
that look like fish bowls.’
Chloe grinned. Faith was already semi-drunk and would soon be demanding they opened the karaoke app on her mobile and had a sing-along. And why not? The house would probably enjoy it.
I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
A charming romantic comedy, with a sensitive and serious look at social anxiety disorder and its disabling effects. Christmas looms dark and dangerous for Chloe, whose husband has recently left her. A successful debut author, who suffers from anxiety, Chloe is horrified when she is identified as the author CJ Knight, and can no longer find the anonymity she needs in her village. Moving to a new development in rural Staffordshire appeals but is it too remote? Will she master her writer’s block? Can she survive Christmas with only Ronnie the dog for company?
The characters in the new development and those she meets in the singles club are complex, with their own emotional baggage but believable, there are no stereotypes here, only reflections of the people you may encounter in your daily life. The story charts Chloe’s battle against her anxiety, her courage as she learns to trust others and her emotional journey to rebuild her self-esteem through writing her second book.
There are lots of conflicts, as the genre demands, both internal and external, and many hilarious moments, especially involving Ronnie the dog. The story is gently paced and as Chloe is a likeable character you want her to find true happiness, and learn to live her life fully. There are elements in this story that many readers will relate to, which make this more than just a lighthearted love story.
A clever balance of romance, laughs and poignancy make this an enjoyable read.
As a child, Carol Wyer was always moving and relied on humour to fit in at new schools. A funny short story won her popularity, planting the seed of becoming a writer. Her career spans dry cleaning, running a language teaching company, and boxercise coaching. Now writing full-time, Carol has several books published and journalism in many magazines.
Carol won The People’s Book Prize Award for non-fiction (2015), and can sometimes be found performing her stand-up comedy routine Laugh While You Still Have Teeth.
When Holly Dryden fled Penhallow Sands nearly a year ago she was determined to put the past – and Rich Turner – behind her. But now an unexpected loss and financial trouble have led her back to the family vineyard and it’s time to tell Rich the truth – he’s a father.
Surrounded by the memories of what they once shared Holly’s anger fades in the glow of Rich’s undeniable love for their son and the way he selflessly steps in to help the vineyard out of trouble. As Holly watches Rich flourish in his new role as father to baby Luke, she realises that though they can’t change the past, the future is still theirs to write…
Extract from The House at Greenacres – Darcie Boleyn
Rich was trying to concentrate on
what a client was telling him, but his mind kept drifting to the text he’d
received from Holly. She did want to meet with him today. He’d known it would
happen sooner or later, but he’d thought it would take her a while to settle
back in and to grieve for her grandpa. He’d also thought she might not want to
see him, that she might try to delay it, as he couldn’t imagine that he was her
favourite person – father of her child or not.
There
were cafés and pubs in Penhallow Sands, but the chances of being left alone to
talk for any length of time were slim, as people who hadn’t seen Holly for some
time would want to pass on their condolences and catch up with her. He could
suggest heading into Newquay, but again, they might not get any privacy, and
that was something he thought their conversation would require. There was only
one place he could think of for what he imagined was going to prove to be an
emotional meeting.
As
soon as his client had gone, he replied to Holly’s text, asking her to meet him
at 5.30 that afternoon at the old spot. Holly would know where he meant. He’d
be able to get there by then as long as he clocked off straight after his final
meeting of the day.
Since the funeral on Monday, the atmosphere at his parents’ cottage had been strained. His mother was trying her best not to pester him about Holly and the baby, but it was obvious that she was struggling with it. She wanted to know if Holly would stay in Penhallow Sands if she would be able to spend time with her grandchild. Rich too wanted to know the answers to those questions, and yet he was terrified of finding out either way. He knew now that Luke was his, but he and Holly had always used contraception and it had never failed them before, so he was confused about how it had happened. If Luke had been conceived despite contraception and Holly’s condition – which she’d been told in her teens could affect her fertility – then he was meant to be. Against the odds, he had arrived – a beautiful, healthy baby boy.
Then
there was the other matter to consider. Rich had always believed he never
wanted children. After what had happened to Dean, he’d sworn never to open
himself up to hurt like that again, never to put himself through what his
parents had endured. Why would anyone take that risk? And it had all been his
fault – Dean’s death, their parents’ suffering; all because of Rich’s stupidity
and weakness.
His
heart was racing and his palms were clammy; he knew what was happening. He had
to get control of this before it consumed him. His life had moved on to a
better place; he would not let the old anxieties resume their hold on him.
He
closed his eyes and focused on his breathing – in for four, out for four. He
felt the air rushing into his lungs, then he pushed it back out, emptying his
chest until he needed to fill it again. He opened his mind to the scenery from
Ibiza, imagined the sounds of the waves lapping at the shore and the sensation
as he walked into the water and felt its warm, soothing embrace.
Tension
gone, he drifted …
‘Rich?’
He
opened his eyes to find Sam standing in the doorway.
‘You
okay?’
He
nodded, blinking away his meditation.
‘Just
overthinking things, so I needed to mentally check out for five minutes.’
Sam
smiled. ‘Did it work?’
‘Like
a charm.’
‘Good.
You want to grab an early lunch then have a walk along the beach? Get some
fresh air?’
‘Wonderful
idea.’
Lunch and a walk would be just what he needed before an afternoon of work. Sam really was a good friend.
I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
This lovely romantic comedy combines second chance romance with an unexpected pregnancy. Set in coastal Cornwall with a host of realistic characters, this is the perfect holiday read.
Holly is a strong female lead, empowered by the birth of her son, she faces up to her past when she returns home for her Grandfather’s funeral. Rich’s life has not been easy, and losing Holly through his actions makes him keen to explore whether they have a second chance at happiness.
The plot is simple, but the characters make it enjoyable, with romance, humour, and more than a little angst making the path to true happiness for Holly and Rich peppered with conflict both internal and from external interference. The outcome is worth the rollercoaster ride and you’re left with a heartwarming feeling at the end.
If you’re looking for an escapist read on Mother’s Day (UK), with vivid characters, a delightful coastal setting and a lovely blend of angst, humour and romance this is the perfect fit.
Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real softy. She never fails to cry at books and movies, whether the ending is happy or not. Darcie is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps her awake at night. Her childhood dream was to become a Jedi but she hasn’t yet found suitable transport to take her to a galaxy far, far away. She also has reservations about how she’d look in a gold bikini, as she rather enjoys red wine, cheese and loves anything with ginger or cherries in it – especially chocolate. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her laptop.
Wedding bells ring out in Budbury as the Comfort Food Café and its cosy community of regulars are gearing up for a big celebration…
But Auburn Longville doesn’t have time for that! Between caring for her poorly mum, moving in with her sister and running the local pharmacy, life is busy enough – and it’s about to get busier. Chaos arrives in the form of a figure from her past putting her quaint village life and new relationship with gorgeous Finn Jensen in jeopardy. It’s time for Auburn to face up to some life-changing decisions.
Settle in for a slice of wedding cake at the Comfort Food Café – a place where friendships are made for life and nobody ever wants to leave.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
The Comfort Food Cafe has been a favourite read, since its inception. There is so much to love, with its quirky characters looking for someone to love them and give them a second chance. Cake to die for, and a wonderful sense of community and friendship that symbolises the ethos of these heartwarming, humorous and ultimately happy stories.
The final book in the series has a very special wedding. Laura was our first introduction to the cafe and her story is still one of my favourites. It made me cry, laugh out loud and empathise will her trials and tribulations. Auburn is our narrator for this final book in the series, and even though she fits right into the Budbury and the cafe community, she is keeping secrets and somehow feels she doesn’t deserve the friends, lover and life she currently enjoys.
The wedding is a delight and colourful, typically amongst the fun, love and romance there is conflict, thankfully not for the bride, but Auburn has to face her past. Even in this last book, there’s more to learn about the characters, and they continue to baffle and delight in equal measure. The ending is romantic and rightfully quirky. Even though we have read the last line, you can imagine the antics, hear the laughter and tears and almost taste the cake as the cafe’s comfort lives on.
Meet Zara Bailey, a travel writer paid to cover
some of the globe’s most luxurious locations. Jetting from wooden huts on
stilts in turquoise seas to boutique hotels with roaring fires to 7* penthouse
suites with panoramic views of the world’s most glamorous cities…
Zara knows hers is the definition of a dream
job! So she is seriously shocked to receive her next assignment; Scotland’s
Northcoast 500 route. By bicycle. Sleeping in a tent so basic it can’t remotely
be dressed up glamping! But this could be just the distraction the recently
heartbroken, Zara needs. No men, no romance, just the breathtakingly rugged
Highland scenery.
Until she meets croft owner Lachlan Grant, and
his black and white Border Collie Bess, that is….
I received a copy of this book from Aria Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
Set mainly in the Scottish Highlands, travel journalist Zara takes on an assignment that puts her firmly out of her comfort zone. Her cycle ride in the Highlands makes her realise that living life for the moment, and being brave enough to follow her dreams may be worth the risk.
The beautifully described setting makes it easy to imagine Zara’s journey. Her love-hate relationship with her mountain bike provides many humorous moments. Zara’s complex personality makes her both likeable and often frustrating. I found myself shouting at her to see the truth of the situations she’s in. So, she is realistic and easy to empathise. Lachlan is more of a mystery. He hides his kind nature under a brusque outward manner.
The plot is full of conflict and dilemma for Zara, it’s exhausting to read at times but worth the emotional angst. The well-written ending concludes all plot twists and gives Zara the life she deserves and needs.
Interview Questions: Lisa Hobman – A Summer of New Beginnings Blog Tour
What inspired you to write this story? The descriptions are realistic, have you cycled all or part of this journey?
I have actually driven the majority of the route. We visit the Highlands annually and last summer we had the pleasure of stopping off at some of the points I visit in the story. I’m not sure I’m fit enough to cycle it but I would love to camp it for sure!
The Scottish Highlands is a popular setting for novelists, what makes your stories different? Why do you think this is?
The Scottish Highlands evoke so many emotions and the dramatic scenery really does lend itself to romance, in my opinion. Many authors have this same attraction to the perfect setting. I tend to write stories about places I’ve visited and which have affected me in some way emotionally. I find this way I can give real credence to the descriptions of the breath-taking locations.
Do you draw your characters from real life or are they purely a product of your imagination?
My characters are fictional; however, there are certain traits observed in real people that find their way into the ones I invent. It may be a story that someone tells me that resonates or perhaps a general personality that sparks an idea. But overall I keep real people out of my stories. My dogs, on the other hand, do feature! Ruby from A Seaside Escape is based on my own little characterful Patterdale Terrier.
What sort of books do you enjoy reading and why?
I tend to enjoy crime novels. Partly because I’m fascinated by how they’re constructed so cleverly—clues and situations all weaved together until a bewildering climax eventually occurs. I especially love Ann Cleeves Shetland books. The scenery she creates with her words really transports me and I can almost be present in the story myself. It’s a bit of a dream of mine to write something in this genre but I have yet to attempt it.
What made you decide to become a writer and why does this genre appeal to you?
Writing is something I’ve always loved since childhood. I used to love writing stories and even wrote a book when I was a teenager! Until recent years it’s always been a bit of a pipe dream but I’m so happy to be fulfilling it now. Romance is a genre that I absolutely love to write. I love to get lost in the passion of a relationship whether it’s friends to lovers or second chances. Romance is something I find flows from my fingertips and makes me happy.
What are you currently writing?
My current work in progress is a novel set at Christmas but that’s all I’m prepared to say just now! You’ll need to watch this space as they say!
Extract
Zara stared,
open-mouthed, at Noah as if he had completely lost the plot. As if his marbles
were literally falling out of his ears as he spoke. She tried to wrap her head
around the words he had uttered but her mind was in some kind of baffled
stupor. Did he really just say camping to the girl who was accustomed to
reviewing five-star luxury resorts for a living?
She
shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Noah, but… is this a joke?’ she asked hesitantly,
dreading his answer. ‘You seem to be getting me confused with someone who likes
the outdoors. I mean… I like being outdoors on the beach or checking out
historical places for my reports, obviously, but camping? And Scotland?’ Noah
was known for being a prankster; she waited for him to burst into hysterical
laughter and do the whole, ‘Ha ha! Your face when I said camping! Of course, it’s a
joke!’ But she waited in vain.
He
leaned forward and fixed her with a pitiful gaze. ‘Zara, I know this isn’t your
usual bag. I get that. But the fact is that the whole thing is booked. Dillon
knew this and he’s still betrayed me; well, all of us really.’ There was a sad
yet bitter edge to his usually jovial voice. He huffed and ran his hands
through his greying, floppy hair. ‘And I need you to help me out on this.
Dillon’s intern simply isn’t ready – in fact I wouldn’t have employed him at
all, truth be told, but that’s a story for another day. It’s not something I
would normally ask of you, but I can’t let this slip just because Dillon thinks
he has bigger fish to fry. We may be a relatively small publication in
comparison to others, but we still need to be at the top of our game. I’m
counting on you, Zara. You’re my best travel writer as it is. But now Dillon is
going you’re my only travel writer.’
She
sighed deeply and an image of her petite body being crushed by a giant rucksack
manifested in her mind. ‘But, Noah…’
He held up his hands. ‘I know. I know. But here’s the thing. Travelarium have got wind of the fact that Dillon is leaving. I got a call from Joel at their head office today. He couldn’t wait to stick his knife in. Sarcastic bastard. Anyway, they’re going to try and get there first. You know they’re already trying to make a name for themselves, and taking a portion of our readership would be a big bloody boost for them. This article would be a perfect inroad, believe me. They’re doing the real nitty-gritty stuff; the Australian outback and the bloody camel rides in Egypt. They’re making us look like we only care about the fluffy, frilly shit. But that was never my intention with The Bohemian. Dillon’s trip was supposed to be a real nuts and bolts piece; a chance to show our readership that we take travel seriously. And that the UK is just as important to us as a publication as the luxury destinations are. We can’t let it go. I won’t, Zara.’ She had never seen him like this. Obviously, Dillon’s shock announcement had floored him. But she wondered if there was something behind it all. Was the magazine struggling? Why was he not telling her if that was the case?
And
anyway, what was wrong with fluff and frills? Life was too short to be so
bothered about real life and all the crap that came with it. What was wrong
with a bit of escapism?
She
realised Noah was still on his rant about Travelarium and snapped
her attention back to him. ‘… and the North Coast 500 route is so hot right
now, Zara. It’s big news and we need to get in there first. Think of the team,
eh?’
Good grief, next he’ll be telling me to think of the
children. Talk about playing for my sympathy. She wasn’t quite ready to acquiesce.
Not yet. ‘But surely there must be someone else better equipped and suited to
doing the report. Surely there’s someone in the team, maybe a different
department, for example, who loves camping and… and all that stuff.’
Noah
closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them, he shook his head. ‘Zara, I’ve
been let down by my best friend of God knows how many years. You
currently have nothing assigned that can’t be put off for a while. I’m sorry
but I can’t send anyone else. I need this to be done just right. I need your
help on this. Please, Zara? You’re my only hope here.’
Suddenly
the image of Noah dressed all in white with donuts for hair sprang to mind and
she had to bite her lip so she didn’t laugh inappropriately at Noah’s Princess
Leia-esque plea for help. She twisted her hands in her lap. She loved her job.
And if the mag was in trouble she wanted to do all she could to help,
obviously. Noah was an awesome boss and she wanted to be the reporter he needed
her to be. But this was something above and beyond. She wouldn’t just be
stepping out of her comfort zone. She’d be climbing in a spaceship and travelling
until her comfort zone was a tiny speck on a distant planet. But she knew how
much Noah had done for her. He’d taken a chance on her as a newly qualified
journalist and she owed him so much.
She
lifted her chin. ‘I need more information.’
Noah
sat up straight once more, his wide-eyed expression filled with hope.
‘Anything. What do you need to know? Fire away.’
She
cleared her throat, forcing the real question – i.e. Are you insane? – back
from her tongue. ‘H-how will I be getting there?’
He
nodded and took a slow, deep breath, which didn’t bode well. ‘Okay, so you’d be
going north by train to Inverness. Then you’d pick up your bicycle and—’
‘Whoa!
Hang on a darn-tooting-minute, here. Bicycle? You never mentioned anything
about a bloody bicycle!’
Zara stared, open-mouthed, at Noah as if he had completely lost the plot. As if his marbles were literally falling out of his ears as he spoke. She tried to wrap her head around the words he had uttered but her mind was in some kind of baffled stupor. Did he really just say camping to the girl who was accustomed to reviewing five-star luxury resorts for a living?
She
shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Noah, but… is this a joke?’ she asked hesitantly,
dreading his answer. ‘You seem to be getting me confused with someone who likes
the outdoors. I mean… I like being outdoors on the beach or checking out
historical places for my reports, obviously, but camping? And Scotland?’ Noah
was known for being a prankster; she waited for him to burst into hysterical
laughter and do the whole, ‘Ha ha! Your face when I said camping! Of course, it’s a
joke!’ But she waited in vain.
He leaned forward and fixed her with a pitiful gaze. ‘Zara, I know this isn’t your usual bag. I get that. But the fact is that the whole thing is booked. Dillon knew this and he’s still betrayed me; well, all of us really.’ There was a sad yet bitter edge to his usually jovial voice. He huffed and ran his hands through his greying, floppy hair. ‘And I need you to help me out on this. Dillon’s intern simply isn’t ready – in fact, I wouldn’t have employed him at all, truth be told, but that’s a story for another day. It’s not something I would normally ask of you, but I can’t let this slip just because Dillon thinks he has bigger fish to fry. We may be a relatively small publication in comparison to others, but we still need to be at the top of our game. I’m counting on you, Zara. You’re my best travel writer as it is. But now Dillon is going you’re my only travel writer.’
She
sighed deeply and an image of her petite body being crushed by a giant rucksack
manifested in her mind. ‘But, Noah…’
He held up his hands. ‘I know. I know. But here’s the thing. Travelarium have got wind of the fact that Dillon is leaving. I got a call from Joel at their head office today. He couldn’t wait to stick his knife in. Sarcastic bastard. Anyway, they’re going to try and get there first. You know they’re already trying to make a name for themselves, and taking a portion of our readership would be a big bloody boost for them. This article would be a perfect inroad, believe me. They’re doing the real nitty-gritty stuff; the Australian outback and the bloody camel rides in Egypt. They’re making us look like we only care about the fluffy, frilly shit. But that was never my intention with The Bohemian. Dillon’s trip was supposed to be a real nuts and bolts piece; a chance to show our readership that we take travel seriously. And that the UK is just as important to us as a publication as the luxury destinations are. We can’t let it go. I won’t, Zara.’ She had never seen him like this. Obviously, Dillon’s shock announcement had floored him. But she wondered if there was something behind it all. Was the magazine struggling? Why was he not telling her if that was the case?
And
anyway, what was wrong with fluff and frills? Life was too short to be so
bothered about real life and all the crap that came with it. What was wrong
with a bit of escapism?
She
realised Noah was still on his rant about Travelarium and snapped
her attention back to him. ‘… and the North Coast 500 route is so hot right
now, Zara. It’s big news and we need to get in there first. Think of the team,
eh?’
Good grief, next he’ll be telling me to think of the
children. Talk about playing for my sympathy. She wasn’t quite ready to acquiesce.
Not yet. ‘But surely there must be someone else better equipped and suited to
doing the report. Surely there’s someone in the team, maybe a different
department, for example, who loves camping and… and all that stuff.’
Noah
closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them, he shook his head. ‘Zara, I’ve
been let down by my best friend of God knows how many years. You
currently have nothing assigned that can’t be put off for a while. I’m sorry
but I can’t send anyone else. I need this to be done just right. I need your
help on this. Please, Zara? You’re my only hope here.’
Suddenly
the image of Noah dressed all in white with donuts for hair sprang to mind and
she had to bite her lip so she didn’t laugh inappropriately at Noah’s Princess
Leia-esque plea for help. She twisted her hands in her lap. She loved her job.
And if the mag was in trouble she wanted to do all she could to help,
obviously. Noah was an awesome boss and she wanted to be the reporter he needed
her to be. But this was something above and beyond. She wouldn’t just be
stepping out of her comfort zone. She’d be climbing in a spaceship and travelling
until her comfort zone was a tiny speck on a distant planet. But she knew how
much Noah had done for her. He’d taken a chance on her as a newly qualified
journalist and she owed him so much.
She
lifted her chin. ‘I need more information.’
Noah
sat up straight once more, his wide-eyed expression filled with hope.
‘Anything. What do you need to know? Fire away.’
She
cleared her throat, forcing the real question – i.e. Are you insane? – back
from her tongue. ‘H-how will I be getting there?’
He
nodded and took a slow, deep breath, which didn’t bode well. ‘Okay, so you’d be
going north by train to Inverness. Then you’d pick up your bicycle and—’
‘Whoa!
Hang on a darn-tooting-minute, here. Bicycle? You never mentioned anything
about a bloody bicycle!’
Lisa’s debut novel was
shortlisted in the 2014 RNA. Her stories centre around believable, yet down to
earth characters and the places in Scotland she has visited and fallen in love
with. She is a happily married mum of one with two energetic dogs.
Escape to the cosiest little lodge in Iceland for love, log fires and the Northern Lights…
With a shattered heart and her career completely in tatters, Lucy needs to get away from her life in the UK. But, when she takes a job as hotel manager of the Northern Lights Lodge, she doesn’t quite expect to find herself in a land of bubbling hot springs and snowflake-dusted glaciers – and in the company of gorgeous Scottish barman, Alex.
Determined to turn her life around, Lucy sets about making the lodge the number one romantic destination in Iceland – even though romance is the last thing she wants. However, as Alex and Lucy grow closer under the dancing lights of the Aurora, Lucy might just learn how to fall in love again…
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
If your reading likes include romance, delicious food, stunning settings and believable characters, the Northern Lights Lodge is the perfect book for you. The fourth book in the #Romantic Escapes series, it tells the story of Lucy and Alex as they fall under the spell of the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Lucy’s life is not what she imagined. She’s lost her prestigious job, her reputation and her lover. She doesn’t want to work at a remote hotel in Iceland but it’s her only option. Alex is tired of being Mr Nice Guy, he never gets the girl and even though he knows he made the right decision about Nina, it hurts.
The plot is simple but effective and you learn lots about Iceland, its customs, food and people. The romance is a lovely mix of sweet and sensual, and even when you think everything is okay, Alex’s secret threatens their future happiness.
Important current social issues are explored in this book, which shows the growth of Lucy’s emotional strength, as she realises her true worth.
The ending is magical. It gives this couple the life they deserve, on their own terms, providing you can be kind and caring and win..
The glamour of Hollywood. The magic of the Tuscan countryside. One big decision…
Beatrice Kingdom (Bee to her friends) wakes up in hospital in Tuscany. After an accident on a film set leaves her burned and scarred, she feels her whole life has been turned upside down.
Bee is offered the chance of recuperating in a stunning Tuscan villa in the company of a world-famous film star, the irascible Mimi Robertson. Here amid the vines and olive groves, Bee quickly finds there’s more to the place than meets the eye, not least a certain Luca(and Romeo the dog).
As she comes to terms with her injuries and her new life takes shape, Bee will have to travel a road of self-discovery… and make a huge decision.
I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
Bee’s life will never be the same again. After a near-fatal accident on a film set in Siena, she takes the chance to recuperate and rediscover who she is. Her film star companion, is diva-like, and she’s never lived in the country, but she never been physically scarred before and she needs time to come to terms with the new her. A remote Tuscan villa is a perfect place for this.
The characters in this story are complex and authentic and the well-paced plot is full of romance, self-realisation, mystery and humour. Culture, cuisine and celebrity give the story its vivacity and Romeo, the Labrador is perfectly described, and so lovable. The Tuscan setting comes to life in this story and you can imagine the vineyards, hills and history that epitomises it.
A lovely story of food, glamour, history and love with a memorable Italian flavour and setting.
T.A. Williams lives in Devon with his Italian wife. He was born in England of a Scottish mother and Welsh father. After a degree in modern languages at Nottingham University, he lived and worked in Switzerland, France and Italy, before returning to run one of the best-known language schools in the UK. He’s taught Arab princes, Brazilian beauty queens and Italian billionaires. He speaks a number of languages and has travelled extensively. He has eaten snake, still-alive fish, and alligator. A Spanish dog, a Russian bug and a Korean parasite have done their best to eat him in return. His hobby is long-distance cycling, but his passion is writing. Twitter @TAWilliamsBooks
When Harriet’s husband, Nick, throws in his safe, but boring job in order to set up a new business during a recession, Harriet is distraught. More so when she realises Amanda, her old enemy from school is back.
Amanda, it turns out, is Nick’s new boss’s wife and will be accompanying Nick on his business trips to Italy. How will Nick not succumb to the ruthless charms of the utterly gorgeous Amanda once he’s away in glamorous Milan?
Knowing Nick is at risk of being seduced is bad enough, but when Harriet’s best friend Grace falls madly in love with Sebastian, Amanda’s much younger son, it can only mean trouble ahead.
Determined to fight for her man, Harriet’s seduction techniques go into overdrive. Unfortunately, she is hampered in her attempts by two bolshy teenagers, an increasingly eccentric mother and a job teaching cantankerous children. Not to mention there seems to be something very strange going on at the bottom of her garden! Can Harriet save her marriage, as well as her friendship with Grace? And what will happen if Nick’s new venture fails, especially now that the one thing Harriet has not even considered in all this mess appears to be staring her right in the face…?
When Harriet Westmoreland goes into labour with twins in Harvey Nichol’s men’s underwear department at exactly the moment she sets eyes on Alex Hamilton, it marks the start of a year of madness – for her, her family and, at times, it seems most of the West Yorkshire village of Midhope.
Giving birth only two months after Harriet, her lifelong best friend Grace has her own craziness to contend with. As both women hurtle down unexpected and very different paths, they flounder in a maelstrom of passion and confusion, perilously clinging on as the chain of events threatens not only their comfortable, ordinary lives but also their very existence.
I received copies of these books from Aria Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
I decided to read and review these two novels together as they are a series and feature the same main characters. If you are a fan of laughter when you read, you will enjoy these stories, which have great characters, and even greater insight into family life and relationships.
The plot is varied and peppered with funny, poignant and romantic moments. It’s written in a visual style, so it’s like watching a film as the plot unfolds.
A lovely romantic comedy series which highlights with charm and humour family life, relationships and the problems women face in society.
