I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day by Milly Johnson @millyjohnson @TeamBATC @simonschusterUK #festiveread #bookreview

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day written by Milly Johnson, publisher Simon & Schuster, is available NOW in ebook, audiobook and hardcover. The book is available to purchase from many supermarkets so whilst you are doing your essential food shop you can pop in your trolley the essential book treat too!

Book Blurb

It’s nearly Christmas and it’s snowing, hard. Deep in the Yorkshire Moors nestles a tiny hamlet, with a pub at its heart. As the snow falls, the inn will become an unexpected haven for six people forced to seek shelter there…
 
Mary has been trying to get her boss Jack to notice her for four years, but he can only see the efficient PA she is at work. Will being holed up with him finally give her the chance she has been waiting for?
 
Bridge and Luke were meeting for five minutes to set their divorce in motion. But will getting trapped with each other reignite too many fond memories – and love?
 
Charlie and Robin were on their way to a luxury hotel in Scotland for a very special Christmas. But will the inn give them everything they were hoping to find – and much more besides?
 
A story of knowing when to hold on and when to let go, of pushing limits and acceptance, of friendship, love, laughter, mince pies and the magic of Christmas.

To buy link:

amazon: https://amzn.to/3aQgiHP

HIve: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day: Milly Johnson: 9781471198656: hive.co.uk

Waterstones: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day by Milly Johnson | Waterstones

REVIEW

I always look forward to a new Milly Johnson book as I know I’ll be guaranteed a fabulous read. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day is such an apt story that seems so much more perfect in the unprecedented circumstances we are all living in at the moment. We want stories to escape to, stories to charm us and warm our hearts but we also want relatable stories. Milly Johnson’s latest novel is all this and more.

When six travellers from all walks of life find themselves stuck in the worse snow storm for years they find shelter in an inn in the midst of the Yorkshire countryside. With no landlord or staff around the wary travellers have no option but to make themselves at home. And they did as the snow continued for a few days the six soon found themselves learning more about each other and forgetting about their lives outside of the four walls of the inn and just concentrate and enjoy the present.

This story is full of the author’s wonderful Yorkshire charm and wit that her readers have become accustomed to. It is beautifully sad and poignant but I also experienced joy and warmth throughout. At the end of the novel I felt tingles of emotion running through me and for some time after I could still sense the feelings I felt.

Just simply brilliant and the air of magic and wonder of Figgy Hollow has left me spellbound.

About the Author

Milly Johnson was born, raised and still lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. She is the author of 17 published novels, 4 short story ebooks, a book of poetry and a Quick Reads Novella (‘The Little Dreams of Lara Cliffe’) and was an erstwhile leading copywriter for the greetings card industry. She is also a poem and joke-writer, a newspaper columnist and a seasoned after dinner speaker.

She won the RoNA for Best Romantic Comedy Novel of 2014 and 2016, the Yorkshire Society award for Arts and Culture 2015 and the Romantic Novelist Association Outstanding Achievement award in 2020. See her popular acceptance speech here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxzeFTvHXDo&fbclid=IwAR27aZML4er_dZLgD2e-URQdBoOK3L9hM8mauFpn3aFvAws7y3VVtXsYTvI

She writes about love, life, friendships and the importance of community spirit. Her books champion women, their strength and resilience and celebrate her beloved Yorkshire.

Her latest book – My One True North tackles the subject of moving on after grief with a light and joyous touch. The Daily Trumpet makes a large appearance and previous novels ‘The Teashop on the Corner’ and ‘Here Come the Girls’ are referenced.

Milly’s website is http://www.millyjohnson.co.uk. She is on Twitter as @millyjohnson, Instagram as @themillyjohnson and has a Facebook page @MillyJohnsonAuthor. She also has a monthly newsletter http://www.millyjohnson.co.uk/newsletter with exclusive, news, offers and competitions.

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Create Your Own Calm by Meera Lee Patel @meeraleepatel @omarabooks @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours #CreateYourOwnCalm

Create Your Own Calm: a journal for quieting anxiety written and illustrated by Meera Lee Patel, publisher Michael O’Mara Books, is available NOW in paperback format.

Book Blurb

From the bestselling author of Start Where You Are comes a beautifully illustrated and integrative journal for easing the everyday anxieties we all carry.

Feeling anxious, uncertain, or overwhelmed? You’re not alone. In this empowering new tool for self-care, popular artist and author Meera Lee Patel presents a fresh approach to feeling better. Designed to help us better understand and dial down the everyday worries getting in our way, these thoughtful and beautifully illustrated journal pages are a safe space for reflection, insight, and the freedom to move forward with more clarity and joy.

Bringing together inspiring quotes from great thinkers and writers throughout history with engaging journal prompts and plenty of room to capture your thoughts, the book is a calming breath of fresh air and a quiet space to reflect and recharge in a hectic and uncertain world.

To buy link: https://amzn.to/3mC1IWD

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. All opinions are my own and no content may be copied. However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes.

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting the launch of Meera Lee Patel’s latest self-help journal Create Your Own Calm.

We all experience anxiety at some point in our lives. Different events can triggers reactions we hadn’t expected. Seven years ago I was having my own battle with my health causing much stress and anxiety and I decided to print out positive quotes and affix them in a notebook. I also wrote down words of wisdom from friends and loved ones. I took this book with me to all my medical appointments and feel like it helped during a difficult period. All these years later and I still suffer with bouts of anxiety. It has been proven that writing down your thoughts, feelings and concerns can help and to have a journal like Meera Lee Patel’s ‘Create Your Own Calm’ is the perfect aid to taking the first steps to taking control of your anxiety.

This is the first time I have encountered Meera Lee Patel’s artwork and I have to admit that I have fallen in love with the soothing tones of muted water coloured quotes and illustrations. If I was browsing the shelves for a journal I would be drawn to this calming cover with it’s simplistic, tonal words.

After spending a good hour exploring this journal for the first time I can see myself already purchasing and gifting many to friends and family. There are many wonderful points that I love about this journal:

• it’s small (slightly less than A5) and lightweight being a paperback and would easily fit in your bag
• the quality of the paper used is substantial and as a guess I would say about 120 gsm
• it is filled with beautiful water coloured quotes and illustrations that are very pleasing to the eye
• it’s clear and informative
• has plenty of activities for you to complete in your own time and in any order (I have completed a few already)
• it is a journal you can treasure and look back on in times of need.

This journal is beautiful with it’s aesthetically pleasing images and fonts but it is also a tool of kindness for yourself. Take some time out, even if it is just 5 minutes, to read a quote or focus on an activity. I am definitely going to continue with this journal and will keep it close to hand at all times for opportune moments to reflect and refocus.

About the author and illustrator

Meera Lee Patel is a self-taught artist and the author of Start Where You Are, Made Out of Stars, and My Friend Fear. She creates work to inspire and encourage others to connect with themselves, each other, and the world around them. She lives in the northern woods of Nashville, Tennessee.

Website: Books & Journals | Stationery & Gifts | The World of Meera Lee Patel

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MeeraLeePatel 

Instagram: meera lee patel (@meeraleepatel) • Instagram photos and videos

Twitter: @meeraleepatel

In Pursuit of Happiness by Freya Kennedy @AuthorFreya @claireallan @BoldwoodBooks @rararesources #bookreview #boldwoodbloggers #feelgoodfiction

In Pursuit of Happiness written by Freya Kennedy, publisher Boldwood Books, is available NOW in ebook, kindleunlimited and paperback format.

Book Blurb

‘A lovely escape that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Just what’s needed at the moment’ No1 bestselling author Jane Fallon

The world is waiting…but just outside of your comfort zone.

Jo Campbell is perfectly content in a perfectly structured life.
Nothing ever changes in Jo’s life, and she likes it that way.
Or at least, she tells herself she does.
Most of the time, she manages to push down the tiny voice that tells her to chase her dream and maybe, just maybe, open her battered and bruised heart up to love.
But to chase her dreams she needs to take chances that are way out of her comfort zone and learn to not put other people’s happiness above her own.
Most of all she has to learn to trust her heart, which may just be the biggest challenge of all.

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3iISOpc

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. All opinions are my own and no content may be copied. However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes.

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting the launch of Freya Kennedy’s latest novel: In Pursuit of Happiness. I first fell in love with Freya Kennedy’s writing back in September when I read The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn which introduced me to the wonderful community of Ivy Lane. Although Freya Kennedy’s new novel, In Pursuit of Happiness, can be read as a standalone I would strongly recommend reading The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn first as it introduces you to Ivy Lane, it’s residents, it’s quirks and it’s charm. The characters lives do develop and you can see a lovely progression to their story.

In Pursuit of Happiness focuses on Jo; Jo works with her brother in the pub, she also helps out dear elderly Harry in his corner shop and helps her parents look after her younger sister Clara who was fostered by the family and then later adopted. Jo’s life seems pretty busy but she has a first love that she’s kept to herself and that is writing. Jo has always had aspirations to become a writer and have her books published but she has no confidence in her skill. Since her brother’s girlfriend, Libby, opened up the book shop across the road with purposed writing nooks Jo can be often seen squirrelled away tapping away at her laptop lost in her words. Until one day when a celebrated author visits the bookshop Jo’s life is about to change and she has a whole new emotional ride ahead of her.

There’s a new visitor to the Lane and that is Harry’s grandson, Lorcan. The community have already had pre-conceived ideas about Lorcan and first impressions do not go down too well. However, a friendship blossoms between Jo and Lorcan but the pair soon find out they have more in common than just the love of this dear old man in the corner shop. Both Jo and Lorcan hold a vulnerability within them. Their hearts have previously been broken and the cracks are still evident. Can this new friendship be the key to both of them opening up their hearts and learning to let love in again?

I adore this community in Ivy Lane they are so supportive of each other and you can feel the warmth emanating from the characters. In Pursuit of Happiness will have you feeling cosy and comforted by this story of inspiration and new beginnings. You will fall in love with quite a few characters but one character in particular will melt your heart, have you smiling, laughing and crying with her. I do hope the author will treat us to more stories from this wonderful family of people in Derry. Gorgeously uplifting, feelgood fiction at it’s best.

Author Bio –

Freya Kennedy lives in Derry, Northern Ireland, with her husband, two children, two cats and a mad dog called Izzy. She worked as a journalist for eighteen years before deciding to write full time. When not writing, she can be found reading, hanging out with her nieces and nephews, cleaning up after her children (a lot) and telling her dog that she loves her.

She has met Michael Buble and even kissed him. It was one of her best ever moments.

She believes in happy ever afters.

Freya Kennedy is a pen name for Claire Allan, who also writes psychological thrillers.

Social Media Links –

http://www.claireallan.com/

https://twitter.com/ClaireAllan /
https://twitter.com/AuthorFreya

https://www.facebook.com/ClaireAllanAuthor

https://www.instagram.com/claireallan_author/

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/freya-kennedy

Newsletter sign up: http://bit.ly/FreyaKennedyNewsletter

One Snowy Week in Springhollow by Lucy Knott @TheBlossomTwins @Aria_Fiction #blogtour #bookreview #feelgoodfiction #festiveread #OneSnowyWeek

One Snowy Week in Springhollow written by Lucy Knott, publisher Aria, is available NOW in ebook, kindleunlimited and in paperback 7th January 2021.

Book Blurb

Tomboy Scarlett thought Devon would be her best friend forever. He was the only person in Springhollow who supported her ambitious artist dreams. But then one winter, Devon and his parents disappear without warning to start a new life in NYC and a devastated Scarlett is left alone to face her high-school bullies and overbearing mother.

Fast-forward ten years: Scarlett is playing it safe in her childhood village with a dull PA job and a wardrobe that passes her mother’s old-fashioned standards. Meanwhile, Devon is a Hollywood heartthrob, starring in the latest superhero blockbuster. And he’s finally coming home for Christmas…

Scarlett can’t help blaming her former best friend for the way her life has turned out, but Devon’s cheeky charm and gorgeous smile prove difficult to resist. Devon always did make her feel on top of the world, but Scarlett knows her heart isn’t racing just because she has her friend back – is it mistletoe madness, or is she seeing Devon in a completely new light?

Scarlett hasn’t taken a risk in years… but this Christmas of second chances could finally be her time to shine.

Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Jo Thomas and Holly Martin.

To buy/pre-order links

Amazon: https://amzn.to/32sEaMQ 

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3pf4Ry7 

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2Ikp84y 

iBooks: https://apple.co/35dyPdZ 

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. All opinions are my own and no content may be copied. However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting the launch of Lucy Knott’s latest novel: A Snowy Week in Springhollow. This is the first book by Lucy Knott that I’ve read and after reading this wonderful, feelgood story I will be checking out Lucy’s other novels.

I adored this book. It was a romcom that was charmingly adorable set in a lovely small country village in the UK but it also had elements of cooldom (think I’ve probably made up a word 🙂 ) Scarlett grew up with her bestfriend Devon in the small village and they were the perfect pairing. They both adored superheroes and had plans to become one when they grew up. Their antics as children would have scared any parent but this intrepid pair had no fears. Scarlett had a skill of drawing and would spend hours with her partner in superhero crime, Devon, sketching their own heroes. They had stories in their heads that Scarlett would bring to life with her pencils. Devon had dreams of becoming that superhero and loved drama. However, the pair were noted around the village and school as geeks and were often teased about it. But they stayed faithful to their beliefs, loves and dreams.

However, this all changed when Devon and his family moved to New York during the final year of secondary school. As you can imagine Scarlett was heartbroken and since that day she felt she could no longer be the girl she was with Devon as it was too heart breaking to think about without her best friend. Her drawings were put in a box alongside her dreams of becoming an artist.

Ten years later and Scarlett is living and working in the village. Her artistic skills and the love of superheroes are still hidden but she’s happy with her lot until Devon returns back to the village. A Devon all grown up looks so much different to the 16 year old boy that left her a decade ago. Devon has achieved his dream, he’s just played the role of a superhero in the latest Hollywood blockbuster movie and he certainly looks the part. Scarlett has very mixed emotions with Devon’s return there’s anger, resentment, sadness, excitement and feelings that she never thought she’d feel about this young boy she grew up with.

As Scarlett and Devon start to learn about each other again the friendship from long ago soon slots back into place. However, the confused feelings are still evident and will Scarlett open up to the one person who made her feel safe about being herself?

Alongside the story of this long lost childhood friendship we have a story of a village magazine trying to liven up their pages and also bring the community together especially during the festive season.

This book by Lucy Knott is such an uplifting feelgood festive read, I felt truly welcomed in to the lives of the characters and Springhollow and wanted the story to go on and on.

About the author

Lucy Knott is a former professional wrestler with a passion for storytelling. Now, instead of telling her stories in the ring, she’s putting pen to paper, fulfilling another lifelong dream in becoming an Author.

Inspired by her Italian Grandparents, when she is not writing you will most likely find her cooking, baking and devouring Italian food, in addition to learning Italian and daydreaming of trips to Italy.

Along with her twin sister, Kelly, Lucy runs TheBlossomTwins.com, where she enthusiastically shares her love for books, baking and Italy, with daily posts, reviews and recipes.

Follow Lucy:

Twitter: @TheBlossomTwins

Facebook: @TheBlossomTwins 

Instagram: @theblossomtwins

Follow Aria 

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

A Kiss in the Snow (Little Duck Pond Cafe 13) by Rosie Green @Rosie_Green1988 @rararesources #blogtour #bookreview #festivereading

A Kiss in the Snow (Little Duck Pond Cafe 13) written and self-published by Rosie Green is available NOW in ebook format.

Book Blurb

After a cruel twist of fate sends her hurtling into a black hole of despair, Carrie is absolutely dreading the festive season – especially with sister, Krystle, being even more demanding of her time and energy than usual. But then friend Maddy offers Carrie a lifeline: the chance to get away from it all in a holiday cottage in the gorgeous little village of Silverbells. Deciding that a few weeks of tranquillity – reading, baking and going for long walks in the countryside – might just restore her mood, Carrie is quick to take up the offer. But on arriving, it very soon becomes clear that this break is going to be anything but peaceful!

An unwelcome houseguest proves unsettling enough – especially one who whistles loudly first thing in the morning and is far too cheerful for his own good – but finding herself drawn into the spooky mystery of her missing neighbour means there really isn’t much time for personal reflection. And then love comes knocking, and Carrie is forced to decide exactly where her heart lies.

Will this festive season be the disaster Carrie predicted? Or will Santa be good to her and deliver her heart’s desire? One thing’s for sure – this will be a Christmas Carrie will never, ever forget…

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/32VMJjD

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. All opinions are my own and no content may be copied. However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes

I’m so pleased to be involved in the blog blitz celebrating and promoting the launch of book 13 in the Little Duck Pond Cafe series: A Kiss in the Snow. Each instalment in the Little Duck Pond Cafe series can be read as a standalone as they are focused on one character however, they do feature characters from all the novels. I would therefore, suggest reading all the novels in the series in order to experience a wonderful feelgood reading experience as I’ve fully enjoyed this series and always look forward to more.

To learn more about the series please check out the author’s amazon page: https://amzn.to/2JWhMVX

A Kiss in the Snow is Carrie’s story. We learned a little about Carrie in book 12 and it is lovely to be able to learn more about her. Carrie is a twin, she is quiet, reliable, kind and considerate and often feels overshadowed by her exuberant sister Krystle. Carrie has a secret crush and her friendship with her crush is becoming stronger but when her heart gets broken and her sister becomes more demanding she decides she needs to get away from them both.

Carrie travels to a remote village called Silverbells just over an hour away from her home. The village sounded wonderfully idyllic with little country cottages and a small community shop. Staying in a friends cottage sounded the perfect escape to reassess her life by clearing her head with country walks and baking cakes galore. However, Carrie didn’t expect to have a fellow houseguest who was also experiencing heartbreak. Her time in the village gave her opportunities to make new friends and also enemies. I think being an outsider she could see how the personalities of the villagers work and found herself many a time a listening ear for them all.

With the snowy weather now blocking the village to all incoming and outgoing vehicles the community and temporary residents had to learn to occupy themselves and help each other.

Author, Rosie Green has written another wonderful instalment in The Little Duck Pond Cafe series. I felt welcomed to Silverbells as much as Carrie and hope that the author will return to the residents we have grown to love and write a little spin-off series. Writing that warms your heart and is perfect cosy reading time material.

Author Bio

Rosie has been scribbling stories ever since she was little.

Back then, they were rip-roaring adventure tales with a young heroine in perilous danger of falling off a cliff or being tied up by ‘the baddies’.

Thankfully, Rosie has moved on somewhat, and now much prefers to write romantic comedies that melt your heart and make you smile, with really not much perilous danger involved at all – unless you count the heroine losing her heart in love.

Her series of novellas is centred around life in a village cafe. The latest, ‘Lucy’s Great Escape’, is out now.

Rosie will be revisiting the Little Duck Pond Café with a beautiful story of love and friendship at Christmas time, entitled A Kiss in the Snow, out in October 2020. Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green1988

12 Days of Clink Street Publishing – Olga’s Egg by Sophie Law @authoright #blogtour #bookreview #HistFic #Faberge #12DaysofClinkStreet @FayeRogersPR

Olga’s Egg written by Sophie Law, publisher Clink Street Publishing, is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.

Book Blurb

When Fabergé specialist Assia Wynfield learns of the discovery of a long-lost Fabergé egg made for the Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, daughter of the last Tsar of Russia, she appears to be the only person with misgivings. On travelling to St. Petersburg to see the egg, Assia moves among Russia’s new rich but finds herself pulled back into a family past she would rather forget. With news that a friend is missing, Assia starts to dig deeper. But does she really want the answers to the questions she is asking? Set in today’s glamorous world of Russian art with glimpses into the lives of the last Romanovs as their empire crumbled in the wake of the Russian Revolution, Olga’s Egg is an enthralling tale of love, family secrets and the artistic treasures that conceal them.

To buy links:

amazon UK: https://amzn.to/33ZOaxO

Waterstones: Olga’s Egg by Sophie Law | Waterstones

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. All opinions are my own and no content may be copied. However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes

I am so pleased to be involved in the 12 Days of Clink Street Publishing blogtour celebrating books published by Clink Street. I have chosen a historical fiction novel to review: Olga’s Egg by Sophie Law.

I was completely fascinated with this debut novel by Sophie Law. Olga’s Egg is a novel blending fact with fiction. I always appreciate how fiction brings history to life and after reading Olga’s Egg it’s given my a thirst to learn more about Russian’s history and also the history of Faberge eggs.

Olga’s Egg is a time-slip historical novel about Assia Wynfield, a Faberge specialist, she is investigating the provenance of the newly discovered egg believed to have once belonged to the Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, daughter of the last Tsar of Russia. As you can imagine Russia and the art world are buzzing with this discovery but Assia feels that something doesn’t fit right about the piece. We follow Assia’s journey learning about this new egg taking her on an emotional, informative and at times dangerous journey from Russia to Oxford and back.

The author takes us back in time to 1918 when there was much political unrest in Russia and tragedy was to trike leaving a lasting mark in Russia’s history.

The story is filled with the glamour of the rich and powerful in Russia but there is a sense of secrecy and danger amongst the elite. Can Assia find the truth surrounding the egg and can she learn from the secrets of the past?

A suspenseful story steeped with history and intrigue. I really enjoyed this glimpse into the breath-taking splendour of the Faberge egg that was tainted with a dark side.

About the Author

Sophie Law was born in London in 1981 and studied at Oxford University and the School of Slavonic and East European Studies. She began her career as a Russian art expert at Bonhams in 2006. After a number of years heading the Russian department and as a UK Board Director at Bonhams, she now acts as a consultant specialist. She lives with her husband and daughter in Oxford.

Website: http://www.sophielawconsultancy.com

Instagram: @sophielouiseannlaw

The Flip Side by James Bailey @jbaileywrites @MichaelJBooks @midaspr @benmccluskey #TheFlipSide #blogtour #bookreview

The Flip Side written by James Bailey, publisher Penguin, is available NOW in ebook, audiobook and paperback format.

Book Blurb

It’s love . . . what could go wrong?

When Josh proposes in a pod on the London Eye at New Years’ Eve, he thinks it’s perfect.

Until she says no.

And they have to spend the next 29 excruciating minutes alone together.

Realising he can’t trust his own judgment, Josh decides from now on he will make every decision through the flip of a coin.

Maybe the coin will change his life forever.

Maybe it will find him find the girl of his dreams . . .

To buy links:

amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2W3qmol

Waterstones: The Flip Side by James Bailey | Waterstones

Bookshop.org: The Flip Side: ‘Utterly charming, funny and very relatable’ Josie Silver (bookshop.org)

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. All opinions are my own and no content may be copied. However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting the launch of James Bailey’s debut novel: The Flip Side. Well, what can I say about this novel by James Bailey? I’d say it’s brilliant, an accomplished debut and I think it might be my favourite read of 2020! I bloomin’ loved it!

Josh is our hapless, quirky, down on his luck but ever hopeful lead character in this romcom written by James Bailey. I fell in love with Josh’s character right from the start when his heart had been broken and he was left literally hanging in a bubble of uncertainty. Josh had not only had his heart broken, he’d lost his job, his home and Jeremy! Jeremy was a a cheeky sidekick for Josh and I think he could be the lead in his own books.

With the new year looming Josh decides to take life by chance, by flipping a coin to decide on decisions in his life.

Struggling with his loss of the life before the coin Josh plods on but when a chance encounter with a beautiful girl leaves him star-struck he feels like he’s found the one but no sooner as he’s found her than fate intervenes and he’s lost her. With limited knowledge of who she is we follow Josh on his attempts to find her again.

James Bailey has written a wonderful romantic comedy with the emphasis on the male lead character. The author navigates Josh through life with skilful writing making you laugh out loud a plenty. However, when life leads you to a serious side there’s sensitivity and poignancy but the sad scenes are soon brightened with great comedic timing making life that bit more bearable. I loved the sub-characters in the storyline they all supported each other through life’s hurdles and it was wonderful to read.

The Flip Side is so funny, so sweet, so charming, so sad and so hopeful. I laughed and cried and laughed again. I truly did not want this story to end. I’m really looking forward to following this new author in his literary career.

About the Author

Born in Bristol, James Bailey began to dream of a writing career following a top mark in a Year 8 English exam, and he soon pursued journalism, starting a student newspaper and a sports website, interviewing athletes including Usain Bolt and Rafa Nadal. This burgeoning career was halted however, when he was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a cardiac arrhythmia. Following two operations, James supported the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, carrying the Olympic Torch, running the London Marathon, speaking in the House of Commons, and appearing in BBC1’s Lifeline appeal, alongside pop star Pixie Lott.   

Upon moving to London for university, during which time he avoided high rent by living in a Travelodge, James juggled studying Spanish with working as a red carpet reporter, interviewing stars such as George Clooney, Emma Stone and David Beckham.

Following his graduation, he travelled the world, journeying through twenty one countries looking for himself, and hopefully love. Having found neither, he returned home to Bristol, where he founded a walking tour company of the city and began working on his debut novel, having been selected for Curtis Brown Creative’s Six Month Novel Writing Course.

The Flip Side is his debut novel. He can be found on Instagram @JamesBaileyWrites, and at www.JamesBaileyWrites.com.

Christmas in Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May @nicolamay1 @rararesources @EyeAndLightning #CICB #bookreview #blogtour #festiveread

Christmas in Cockleberry Bay written by Nicola May, publisher Lightning Books, is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.

Book Blurb

Meet old and new characters in the Bay for Christmas fun and frolics.

With both the Corner Shop and Cockleberry Café in safe hands, Rosa turns her attention to Ned’s Gift, the charity set up in memory of the great-grandfather whose legacy turned her life around.

Over at the Ship Hotel, Lucas has his work cut out with his devious new girlfriend and the mystery poisoning of an anonymous hotel inspector. Will the hotel still get its 3-star Seaside Rosette?

Will Mary find true love at last? Can Titch cope with the demands of the shop and being heavily pregnant. And can Rosa, with a baby of her own, pull off the Cockleberry Bay Charity Christmas Concert in time?

Christmas in Cockleberry Bay is a festive delight for fans of Rosa and her cheeky mini dachshund Hot, delivering a feast of unpredictable events and surprises.

To buy links:

Kindle – UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08JHJKLQF/

Kindle – .com – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JHJKLQF/

Paperback  – http://eye-books.com/books/christmas-in-cocklberry-bay

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. All opinions are my own and no content may be copied. However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting Book 4 in The Cockleberry Bay series. I would highly recommend reading all the books in the series in order as you can then fully appreciate the history of the characters and storyline. Also, the books are just fab! The books in the series in order are:

The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay

Meet Me in Cockleberry Bay

The Gift of Cockleberry Bay

Christmas in Cockleberry Bay

I don’t think I will ever tire of reading about Rosa and her friends in Cockleberry Bay. Nicola May has written another fun, flirty, festive and fabulous instalment in the Cockleberry Bay series.

Life for Rosa never runs smoothly but she takes it in her stride and in true Rosa fashion she deals with it. Rosa’s life is hectic as usual with a young baby, two businesses, a charity to promote and all whilst her beloved husband is working overseas.

Cockleberry Bay is full of preparations for the autumn and winter festivities that lay ahead and the two pubs are up for a Seaside Rosette award so it’s all exciting but anxious times for all involved. Rosa’s family life has expanded with a new baby and finding her long lost father and step-brother, she feels like all her blessings have been granted. However, as much as it’s wonderful having family around her it does take some getting use to.

Author Nicola May has introduced some great new characters to the bay that have slotted in perfectly bringing together a story that is so very likeable. It’s warm-hearted and lovable but also not without sensitivity and emotion. Chaos never seems far away from the seaside town but the community stick together and help each other with a few chuckles along the way.

I loved Christmas in Cockleberry Bay and hope there’s more to come. Rosa and her ever growing gang warm my heart and I always feel welcomed when I return to Cockleberry Bay.

Author Bio –

Nicola May is a rom-com superstar. She is the author of eleven romantic comedies, all of which have appeared in the Kindle bestseller charts. Two of them won awards at the Festival of Romance, and another was named ebook of the week in The Sun. The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay became the best-selling Kindle book in the UK, across all genres, in January 2019, and was Amazon’s third-bestselling novel in that year.

She lives near Ascot racecourse with her black-and-white rescue cat, Stan.

Follow Nicola May

Website – www.nicolamay.com

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Twitter – @nicolamay1

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