Dec 2019 – Love the Smell of a Book

#Review – Today I am sharing my review for The Christmas Calendar Girls by Samantha Tonge #FestiveRead #ChristmasCalendarGirls #HolidaysareComing @samtongewriter

Posted on 23/12/201919/12/2019 by LovetheSmellofaBook

My Review

Today I am sharing my review for The Christmas Calendar Girls by Samantha Tonge. A memorable read bringing home a strong message with regards to recovering from illnesses and how life can take unexpected turns and change your circumstances in the blink of an eye.

I loved little Lily she pulled at my heartstrings throughout and Fern was such a strong character who had found a way to move on after the tragic loss of her husband.

A book brimming with positivity, highlighting the value of friendship and talking your problems through. These lovely friends shared the highs and lows in their lives.

Overall when I finished this book I felt hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel and we have the ability to find the glimmers of light and hold on to them.

Book Blurb

This Christmas fall in love with the town of Chesterwood…

Christmas is meant to be a time of giving, so with Chesterwood food bank under risk of closure Fern knows just what to do to save it. She’s going to get the town to create a living advent calendar.

Fern, and her best friends, call for help from the local community to bring this calendar to life. When Kit, the new man in town, offers his assistance Fern’s heart can’t help but skip a beat (or two).

As they grow ever closer, Fern must admit that Kit’s breaking down the barriers she built after the death of her husband. But his past is holding him back and Fern doesn’t know how to reach him. No matter how hard she tries.

In this town, Kit’s not the only one with secrets. Domestic goddess Cara is behaving oddly, burning meals in the oven and clothes whilst ironing, and Davina’s perfect children are causing trouble at school leaving her son, Jasper, desperately unhappy.

Can the Christmas Calendar Girls find a way to bring the community together in time to save the food bank, while still supporting their families and each other? Can Fern find love again with Kit?

This is a story about kindness and letting go of the past. It’s about looking out for your neighbours and about making every day feel like Christmas.

screenshot-2019-12-19-at-15.18.08 — Available to purchase here

About the Author

Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK with her husband and children. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.
When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines.
She is represented by the Darley Anderson literary agency. In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014, her bestselling debut, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category. In 2018 Forgive Me Not, heralded a new direction into darker women’s fiction with publisher Canelo. In 2019 she was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association romantic comedy award.

Social Media Links

http://samanthatonge.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamTongeWriter
Instagram: @samanthatongeauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaTongeAuthor

Many thanks for reading my review, please remember to like and share to help spread the festive book love!

Adult Fiction, Chick Lit, Seasonal

#Review – Today I am sharing my review for A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan #FestiveRead #AWeddinginDecember #HolidaysareComing @sarahmorgan_

Posted on 20/12/201919/12/2019 by LovetheSmellofaBook

I love a festive read and Sarah Morgan always writes a gorgeous Christmas story, this book was set in the gorgeous snowy Colorado and what is not to fall in love with in this idyllic location.

A story that reminds you that you get back what you put in with regards to relationships and to keep making time for eachother. The characters of Rosie & Katie were brilliant, personality wise they are ying and yang, Katie is massively overprotective and Rosie is fighting to find her own voice to make her family listen to her.

I loved this book and devoured it in just a couple of days, it was oozing snowy mountains, romance and who doesn’t love a white Christmas wedding. A great festive read that I highly recommend to get you in the mood for Christmas.

In the snowy perfection of Aspen, the White family gathers for youngest daughter Rosie’s whirlwind Christmas wedding.

First to arrive are the bride’s parents, Maggie and Nick. Their daughter’s marriage is a milestone they are determined to celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are hiding a huge secret about their own: they are on the brink of divorce. After living apart for the last six months, the last thing they need is to be trapped together in an irresistibly romantic winter wonderland.

Rosie’s older sister Katie is also dreading the wedding. Worried that impulsive, sweet-hearted Rosie is making a mistake, Katie is determined to save her sister from herself. If only the irritatingly good-looking best man, Jordan, would stop interfering with her plans…

Bride-to-be Rosie loves her fiance but is having serious second thoughts. Except everyone has arrived – how can she tell them she’s not sure? As the big day gets closer, and emotions run even higher, this is one White family Christmas none of them will ever forget.

Available to purchase here

Sarah Morgan is a Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She has sold more than 18 million copies of her books and her trademark warmth and humour have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London with her family and when she isn’t writing or reading, she likes to spend time outdoors walking or riding her mountain bike.

Join Sarah’s mailing list at http://www.sarahmorgan.com for all book news. For more insight into her writing life follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook/AuthorSarahMorgan and on Instagram at @sarahmorganwrites Contact Sarah at sarah@sarahmorgan.com

Many thanks for taking the time to read my review, please remember to like and share to help spread the book love!

5*, Adult Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Seasonal

#Review Today I am sharing my review for Rewrite the Stars by Emma Heatherington @emmalou13

Posted on 18/12/201918/12/2019 by LovetheSmellofaBook

Today I am sharing my review for the latest release by the amazingly talented Emma Heatherington. I have loved reading Emma’s previous books so couldn’t resist it being just 99p on kindle and jumped it up the TBR pile to read straight away.

The characters in this book hooked me right from the start. Charlotte jumped off the pages as she was a character who embraced life who lived and made mistakes. I loved her vivasciousness for life and all it had to offer.

Whilst reading this book your taken on an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you remembering you never know what’s round the corner and to grab life with both hands whilst you can. A story that will make you laugh, love and left me with tears as I reached the end. This book is a delightful blend of wonderful characters set in the heart of Ireland and I loved it from start to finish.

Book Blurb

From the moment they meet one December day there’s something between Charlotte Taylor and her brother’s best friend, Tom Farley. But Tom’s already taken and Charlie has to let him go…

It’s another five years before their paths cross again only a secret from the past forces Charlie to make a choice. She promises herself she’ll never look back…

The years pass and Charlie moves on with her life but she can never forget Tom. He’s always there whispering ‘What if?’.

Can Charlie leave the life she has built for one last chance with Tom? Or is the one that got away not really the one at all…?

About the Author

Emma Heatherington has penned more than thirty educational short films, plays and musicals as well as eleven novels, two of which were written under the pseudonym Emma Louise Jordan.
Emma’s novel, The Legacy of Lucy Harte, was an eBook bestseller in both the UK and US.
She lives in her native Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, with her partner Jim McKee and their children Jordyn, Jade, Dualta, Adam and Sonny James.

Please remember to like and share this review to help spread the booklove!

Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit

#Review Today I am joining the blog tour for Six Steps to Happiness by Suzie Tullett

Posted on 15/12/201902/12/2019 by LovetheSmellofaBook

Today I am joining the blog tour for Six Steps to Happiness by Suzie Tullett. This book will appeal to anyone who have ever felt the need for revenge, Ronnie doesn’t just want revenge she sets the wheels in motion to get her revenge.

A light hearted read that will make you chuckle throughout, it is cunning and will make you laugh and gasp in equal measures. The concept of this story is brilliant and the characters of Bonnie, Bea & Willow really jump off of the page throughout. You can visualise the events as they unfold throughout the book which just makes it funnier.

A great light hearted read for when you feel like escaping the real world and curling up with a book as company.

When Ronnie’s husband, Nick, leaves her for their next-door neighbour, Gaye, Ronnie’s life starts to fall apart.

Devastated by the break-up of her marriage, Ronnie is desperate for Nick and Gaye to set up home elsewhere. But Nick and Gaye won’t budge.

To add to her problems, Ronnie’s daughter and mother-in-law decide to stage an intervention. With her family keeping a close eye on her, Ronnie is forced to become more devious in her actions to get rid of Nick and Gaye.

But just how far will she go?

And is moving on ever that easy?

Six Steps to Happiness is a hilarious look at just how far one woman will go to recover from a broken heart and find happiness again.

Available to purchase here

Suzie Tullett is an author or contemporary humorous fiction and romantic comedy. She has a Masters Degree in Television & Radio Scriptwriting and worked as a scriptwriter before becoming a full-time novelist. Her motto is ‘live, laugh, love’ and when she’s not busy creating her own literary masterpieces, she usually has her head in someone else’s.

Suzie lives in a tiny hamlet in the middle of the French countryside, along with her husband and two Greek rescue dogs.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzieTullettAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuzieTullett

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5022688.Suzie_Tullett?from_search=true

Blog: https://suzietullett.com/blog/

Website: https://suzietullett.com/

Many thanks to Sarah from Book on the Bright Side for the opportunity to take part, please remember to like and share to spread the book love!

Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit, Seasonal

#Review – Today I am joining the blog tour for Hanukkah at the Great Greenwich Ice Creamery by Sharon Ibbotson

Posted on 14/12/201902/12/2019 by LovetheSmellofaBook

Today I am super excited to be sharing a review for a lovely heartwarming read with a touch of festive which is great to get you in the mood for Christmas.

This gorgeous light hearted read is set in the heart of London and features gorgeous gelato which anyone who knows me will know that I adore! A heartwarming story about protecting those you love at all costs and doing everything you can to keep them safe due to others being prepared to take advantage.

Set in the lead up to Christmas and Hanukkah there is more than just gelato melting in this story, it will also melt your heart as you meet the lovely River. It made me smile and features great descriptions and brilliantly highlights how everyone see’s the world differently and the impacts this can have.

This was my first book by this author and now I can’t wait to read more. I loved the pure escapism experienced whilst reading this book and it left me feeling warm and fuzzy and feeling that more of us need to learn BSL.

Hanukkah days, Christmas nights and strawberry ice cream …

Cohen Ford is a man who could do with a little bit of sweetening up. It’s no surprise that when he walks into The Great Greenwich Ice Creamery on a typically gloomy London day before Christmas, he insists on a black coffee rather than his childhood favourite – strawberry ice cream.

But then he meets River de Luca, the woman behind the flavours. After their first encounter, Cohen begins visiting the ice creamery every Tuesday, gradually learning more about the intriguing River. Could her influence encourage cynical Cohen to become the man who embraces Christmas, Hanukkah and even strawberry ice cream?

Available to purchase on Amazon UK / Amazon US

Sharon was born in Sydney, Australia but now lives in London with her husband, two small children and two black cats named for desserts. She started writing ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ fanfiction aged 15, which eventually transformed into the historical romance novels she writes today. She has two novels published by Choc Lit, and when not writing, can be found baking cakes badly or drinking wine well.

Twitter: @seibbotson

Facebook: Sharon Ibbotson – Author

Instagram: sharonibbotson

Website: sharonibbotson.com

Many thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to join this blog tour, please remember to like and share to help spread the book love!

Blog Tour, Younger Readers Age 9-12

#Review Today we are joining the blog blitz and Daisy is sharing her review for Wild Sky by Lexi Rees

Posted on 14/12/2019 by LovetheSmellofaBook

Today we are joining the blog blitz for the latest release by Lexi Rees – Wild Sky which is Book 2 in The Relic Hunter series. Daisy loved reading Eternal Seas and is today joining me to share her review for Wild Sky.

Daisy’s Review

I really enjoyed Wild Sky which is the second of the Relic Hunter series by Lexi Rees. My favourite two characters would have to be unique Pippin and her trust cat Hobnob. Pippin is a lively girl who is easily excitable and was extremely happy when she found Hobnob on the island and her eyes even brimmed with tears. Hobnob is a cat who Pippin hardly ever lets out of her sight and event takes on a dangerous Himalayan journey.

Eternal Seas is about finding the sea-tamer relic and Wild Sky is about finding the air-rider relic, both books that I would recommend. You never know what might happen next when reading these books and I found this a fun read. I would love to read more by this author, because she knows how to create suspense in her books and keeps me up reading late into the night.

After delivering the pearl, Finn and Aria thought life would return to normal.

But with the survival of the clans still in peril, they must continue their quest.

Can they find the next relic before the forces of evil?

Not everyone is who they appear to be

And time is running out …

Available to purchase here

Lexi Rees writes action packed adventures for children. The first book in The Relic Hunters Series, Eternal Seas, was awarded a “loved by” badge from LoveReading4Kids and is currently longlisted for a Chanticleer award.

She’s passionate about developing a love of reading and writing in children, and as well as an active programme of school visits and other events, she has published a Creative Writing Skills workbook, is a Book PenPal for three primary schools, and runs a free online #kidsclub and newsletter which includes book recommendations and creative writing activities.

In her spare time, she’s a keen crafter and spends a considerable amount of time trying not to fall off horses or boats.

www.lexirees.co.uk

https://twitter.com/lexi_rees

https://www.facebook.com/LexiAuthor/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvWC70tUEfzPk9e4n9OvOmg/

https://www.instagram.com/lexi.rees

The Relic Hunters Giveaway

Win a copy of each of Eternal Seas and Wild Sky, the action packed fantasy adventure for 7-11 year olds.

UK – choice of signed paperbacks or ebooks

International entrants – ebooks only

https://kingsumo.com/g/dpaovz/the-relic-hunters-giveaway

Many thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting us to take part on this blog tour, please remember to like and share to help spread the book love!

Adult Fiction

#Review – Today I am sharing another festive review – The Christmas Wish List by Heidi Swain #festivereads #holidaysarecoming @heidi_swain

Posted on 12/12/201912/12/2019 by LovetheSmellofaBook

Today I am sharing my review for The Christmas Wish List by Heidi Swain. I am a massive fan of Heidi Swain and had to grab a copy of her latest book when I saw it had been released.

I have loved my visits to Wynbridge and this was another superb read, full of festive cheer and amazing characters.

I loved getting to know the lovely Hattie and Dotty and the whole concept of the wish list. They had some brilliant adventures as they went about crossing off the small and big wishes on their list.

A lovely festive read from Heidi Swain, I love her Christmas releases and loved curling up with a hot chocolate to read this one.

After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Hattie is feeling lost. Even more so when her high-flying boyfriend announces he’s landed his dream job in Abu Dhabi and asks her to move with him. Luckily, Hattie’s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember . . .
Upon Hattie’s arrival, holiday preparations are in full swing. But for Hattie, whose Christmas cheer has long since run out, it’ll take more than mince pies and mistletoe to open her heart to the season once more. Relishing the task of reigniting Hattie’s Christmas spirit, Dolly suggests they create a wish list of all the things the season can offer, and with the helpful hands of Wynbridge’s resident handyman, Beamish, Hattie finds her frosty exterior is starting to thaw.
As Wynbridge prepares for its most spectacular Christmas yet, will Hattie leave snowy England behind for life in a sunnier clime, or will she in fact realise that her heart’s desire lies much closer to home?

Available to purchase here

Heidi Swain is the Sunday Times bestselling author of five novels. She lives in Norfolk with her husband, two allegedly grown-up children and a mischievous black cat called Storm. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside and collects vintage paraphernalia. To find out more, follow Heidi on twitter @Heidi_Swain or visit her website: heidiswain.co.uk.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review, please remember to like and share to help spread the festive cheer!

5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit, Seasonal, Short Story

#Review Today I am helping to close the blog tour for Coming Home to Merriment Bay – Part Four: Starry Skies by Emily Harvale

Posted on 11/12/201926/11/2019 by LovetheSmellofaBook

Today I am helping close the blog tour for the final trip to Coming Home to Merriment Bay Part Four: Starry Skies.

A superb conclusion to this lovely series compiled of short stories ahead of the full book being released. I have loved reading these stories and have been eagerly awaiting the release of the each instalment.

The stories feature a lovely selection of characters that capture your hearts and as the stories continue to unfold you get to see more of the personalities of those who Cat & Kyra hold most dear.

I have loved reading about Cat and the misadventures of her heart as she gets used to life back in Merriment Bay. Fingers crossed that Emily writes another book so we get to see what comes next for these brilliant characters.

Part Four of this heartwarming four-part serial about finding the strength to put the past behind you and to reach out for a future filled with happiness and love.

Cat is reeling from the unexpected events of Christmas and as Merriment Bay prepares to toast in the New Year, she’s facing choices she never thought she’d have to make. Her head and her heart are pulling her in very different directions.

Bailey is sitting by Viola’s bedside, regaling everyone with tales from the past but is there any chance he’ll get to see a smile on the lips of the woman he still loves?

Having realised she has made mistakes, will Mary finally tell Cat what she really wants to know?

And what will the New Year bring for Kyra? Will she fulfil the plans she made before she came to Merriment Bay?

When distressing events end more than one person’s dream, can Cat find the strength to fight for the Love she deserves? Sometimes it takes a crisis to make someone realise what they truly want. And Cat has decided what – and who – that really is. But is she too late?

Available to purchase Amazon UK / Amazon US

Emily writes novels, novellas and short stories about friendship, family and falling in love. She loves a happy ending but knows that life doesn’t always go to plan. Her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.

Emily loves to connect with her readers and has a readers’ group in which many have become good friends. To catch up with Emily, find out about the group, or connect with her on social media, go to her website at http://www.emilyharvale.com.

Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her home town of Hastings where she now writes full-time. She’s a member of the SoA and the RWA, an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. When not writing, she can be found enjoying the stunning East Sussex coast and countryside, or in a wine bar with friends, discussing life, love and the latest TV shows. Chocolate cake is often eaten. She dislikes housework almost as much as she dislikes anchovies – and will do anything to avoid both. Emily has two mischievous rescue cats that like to sprawl across her keyboard, regardless of whether Emily is typing on it, or not.

https://www.facebook.com/emilyharvalewriter

https://www.twitter.com/emilyharvale

https://www.instagram.com/emilyharvale

Many thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to join this superb blog tour, please remember to like and share to help spread the book love!

5*, Adult Fiction, Seasonal

#Review – Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm by Jaimie Admans

Posted on 07/12/201907/12/2019 by LovetheSmellofaBook

OMG I loved this book so much, Leah was a brilliant character that jumped off the pages at me. I started this book on holiday and devoured it in just a few days. I loved the worn down Christmas tree farm located next to Noel and his Pumpkin farm, I love a real Christmas tree and this story conjures all sorts of Christmassy delights.

Leah is a brilliant character full of optimism and determination who after her impulse purchase of the Christmas Tree farm needs to dig deep to try and turn it around. Noel is the farmer next door and meets Leah on her arrival at the farm as she discovers that her impulse buy isn’t anything like she expected.

I keep recommending the book as I loved the mix of the Pumpkins and Christmas trees and it instantly made me feel festive and keen to go and get Christmas tree as nothing beats the smell of a real tree at Christmas.

All she wants for Christmas…

Leah Griffiths has woken up after a few too many glasses of Prosecco with a hangover – and discovers she’s accidentally bought a little Christmas tree farm in Scotland!

At first she’s horrified, but perhaps it’s the perfect way to forget all about her cheating ex.

And when she meets grumpy (but ridiculously gorgeous) pumpkin farmer Noel underneath the mistletoe, Leah begins to believe that at Christmas time, anything can happen…

Available to purchase here

Jaimie is a 32-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots.
She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.

She has been writing for years but has only just plucked up the courage to tell people.
She is the author of chick-lit romantic comedies Kismetology and The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters, and young adult romantic comedies Afterlife Academy, Not Pretty Enough, and North Pole Reform School.

Find out more on http://www.jaimieadmans.com or find me on Twitter @be_the_spark

I hope you have enjoyed reading my review and it has inspired you to pick up a festive read. Please remember to like and share to help spread the book love!

5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Contemporary Fiction

#Review – Today I am excited to be sharing my review for Unexpected Lessons in Love by Lucy Dillon

Posted on 04/12/201902/12/2019 by LovetheSmellofaBook

Today I am super excited to be joining the blog tour for Unexpected Lessons in Love, I absolutely love Lucy’s books and was really excited to be able to review this one as part of the blog tour.

Whenever I pick up a book by Lucy I know I need to clear some time as her books always make me feel all of the emotions and make me want to keep reading. This was another wonderful story, the main character Jeannie was a wonderfully composed character who will appeal to all of us who have ever doubted ourselves. She was wonderfully skilled at music but lacked in self belief and confidence in her own abilities. I loved watching Jeannie grow as a character throughout this book and how she coped in such difficult circumstances and managed to find her true self throughout her journey in this story.

A truly heartwarming read with gorgeous puppies who make your heart burst as you want to adopt them all and make them feel loved. A brilliant 5* read that I loved from start to finish and would highly recommend.

What happens when ‘I do’ turns into ‘I don’t know’?

Jeannie always wanted to fall in love, and now she’s finally got the whirlwind romance she dreamed of. Dan’s gorgeous, he’s a successful young vet, and he flew her to New York and proposed on Brooklyn Bridge. Jeannie has to remind herself this is actually her life. It seems too perfect, too magical, to be real. Yet it is.

But now she’s on her way to the wedding she can’t shake off the tight sensation crushing her chest. It is just nerves . . . or is this all happening a bit too fast?

Jeannie has one last chance to shout, ‘Stop!’ But just as she grabs it, a bizarre twist of fate throws everything she knows into the air like confetti. What Jeannie learns about Dan, about her own heart, and about the power of love itself, will change her world for ever . .

Available to purchase here

Lucy Dillon grew up in Cumbria and read English at Cambridge, then read a lot of magazines as a press assistant in London, then read other people’s manuscripts as a junior fiction editor. She now lives in a village outside Hereford with a Border terrier, an Otterhound and her husband.

Lucy won the Romantic Novelists’ Association Contemporary Romantic Novel prize in 2015 for A HUNDRED PIECES OF ME, and the Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 2010 for LOST DOGS AND LONELY HEARTS.

You can follow her at her website http://www.lucydillon.com, on Twitter @lucy_dillon or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/LucyDillonBooks.

My Review

Book Blurb

This Christmas fall in love with the town of Chesterwood…

About the Author

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Daisy’s Review

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