eBook Review: Weight Till Christmas by Ruth Saberton

"Cinder Ellie shall go the to ball. At least she will if she can squeeze into her party dress...

Without a fairy godmother to wave a magic wand, Ellie Summers needs more than a pumpkin to impress her gorgeous boss. She works hard, not as a scullery maid but as a super sassy saleswoman, but he doesn't notice her. Their company's lavish Christmas party is the opportunity Ellie's been waiting for to make a big impression. And she doesn't intend it to be winning the mince pie eating competition.

With the help of fellow dieter Sam, a sleigh load of will power and a sprinkling of Christmas magic, Ellie knows finding her Prince Charming is just a mistletoe kiss away.

But is her prince really so charming? Or is Christmas romance closer than she thinks?"

Rating: 3.5/5

You can buy Weight Till Christmas as an eBook now!

This is another novella which has been released through the newly formed Notting Hill Press, and is by author Ruth Saberton, who has previously published with Orion and under a few other pseudonyms too. I knew it was only a short story heading into it, and I've really warmed to those lately, it's nice sometimes to settle down with something you know won't take you days to read, and being a festive read is even better! I really enjoyed Weight Till Christmas, and certainly think it's worth a read this Christmas.

Ellie Summers knows she needs to lose weight, but if she's honest, she can't be bothered. It's easier just to grab lunch on the go, and her job as a car saleswoman doesn't lend itself to being hugely active. Ellie also has a bit of a thing for her rather handsome boss, and is sure if she can lose a few pounds by Christmas, she can make him see her in a different light. Together with her best friend Sam, the two are determined to lose some weight before Christmas, so Ellie can woo her boss in her dream dress at the company Christmas party. Will Ellie have the willpower to see it through to the end and get her Mr Right under the mistletoe?!

I really liked the characters in this book. They are all quite real, and you can certainly imagine meeting them at a car dealership or elsewhere, they are believable people. Ellie in particular is funny, she knows she's a big girl, and I didn't like that she felt she had to lose weight in order to seem attractive to someone. It seems a popular theme in books these days that the main female character has to lose weight to get her dream guy, and it's a shame perception is still like this. Ellie was hilarious whether she was a big girl or not, and if a guy wants you to lose weight to be attracted to you, he isn't worth it really, and I wished Ellie could see that. Ellie had really low self-esteem, and in that respect you have to feel sorry for her, she genuinely does believe she isn't good enough for him as she is.

Sam was a great character, such a kind-hearted man and I hated his girlfriend with a passion! It seemed no matter what Sam did, he was in the wrong! He was great for Ellie and the friendship between the pair was so sweet. There aren't too many other characters in the book as these two are the main ones, but suffice to say Ellie's boss was a pig, and I couldn't stand him. The setting of a car dealership was different, and it was clear that Ellie had a passion for her job and was pretty good at it too. I'm not really a car buff (my little boy is though!) but even I enjoyed reading these scenes. The only thing I have to say in this book is that it just wasn't really festive enough, it didn't strike me as a particularly Christmassy read, I prefer my Christmas to be laid on nice and thick lol!

Overall, this was a funny short novella to read in an evening, and will certainly give you a few laughs along the way. It's a pity it's main focus is a girl losing weight to attract a guy because that isn't something I support, but the sweet romance within the book is worth reading, and I loved the ending as well. Ruth's writing is very easy to read, and she writes both the more emotional moments and the comedy ones just as well, and the narrative was very easy to get into. If you fancy something funny, then I would recommend Weight Till Christmas as a short read for you, and I look forward to reading more from Ruth Saberton.

Book Review: Just For Christmas by Scarlett Bailey

"Her best friend's wedding...

When Alex Munro learns that the love of her life is getting married to another girl, all she wants is to be alone - and as far away from Edinburgh as possible.

Moving to a Cornish cottage, which comes complete with the world's scruffiest dog, Alex finds that her new neighbours are determined to involve her in their madcap Christmas festivities.

Then she meets her sexy neighbour Ruan - and somehow Alex doesn't want to be alone this Christmas after all. But having lost one fiancé, Ruan has no intention of letting anyone get close to him again..."

Rating: 5/5

You can buy Just For Christmas as a paperback or an eBook now!

Scarlett Bailey, a pseudonym for hugely successful chick lit author Rowan Coleman, has been around for a few years now released brilliant festive novels, and luckily for us, she's back this year with another one! Just For Christmas has a really stunning cover, the purples and blues work so well for the festive look, although I was surprised that the woman was a photograph when I got the cover, instead of a cartoon. Either way, when I was looking for a cosy Christmas read a few weeks ago, my hands flew straight to this novel on my shelves. I was really excited to start it, and of course Scarlett didn't let me down, it's my favourite Christmas novel of the year so far, and I don't say that lightly!

Alex Munro decides to flee her hometown of Edinburgh when she discovers that her best friend and the only man she has ever loved is getting married to another woman. She ends up in a small Cornish town called Poldero, at entirely the other end of the United Kingdom. She knows no-one, and that's the way she likes it. She doesn't count of the town spirit though, and the fact that everyone there is determined to make their new neighbour part of their Christmas festivities. She soon bumps into a new neighbour, the quiet and brooding Ruan. Alex finds herself joining in and feeling more of a part of the Poldero family than she expected, even though she misses her family and friends miles away. As Christmas fast approaches, Alex doesn't want to be on her own, but she's also realised that there is more to Ruan than meets the eye...

I have to say that there was something about this book that touched me. Weeks after finishing it, I still think about it a lot - the story, the setting, the characters. It was just utterly charming and I loved every single page of it. My favourite thing about it all was the lighthouse. Yes, this is Ruan's home and not a major plot part or anything, but it was just totally different and the way Bailey describes it makes it sound utterly perfect and it fits in with the story so very well. I loved Alex's job of Harbour Master, despite the fact everyone seems to think a man is the best fit for the job! Alex is skilled, and Bailey writes about the job well, it isn't bogged down in detail but gives you enough information to understand what she does and the importance of her job.

I really loved Alex as a main character. We know straight away she is running away from several things back home in Scotland, but these are revealed slowly to us. Early on (and in the blurb!), we learn that she mainly ran away because the man she loves is marrying someone else, but there is almost something else there about her father, something that takes a good duration of the book to be revealed. I was constantly wondering what on earth it could be, but Bailey had me stumped and I wasn't able to guess it! In fact, I liked that it wasn't predictable, and you really do feel sorry for all parties involved here, it's sad to read of how Alex and her father's relationship has broken down and I was really hoping that they would be able to repair it and make things okay between them again. Alex is very independent, very much a tomboy and I liked how she didn't feel she had to live up to anyone's expectations regarding her clothes, her general manner or anything, she was very much herself and that was fun to read.

The town of Poldero is so brilliantly written, you almost want to move in there yourself! Bailey describes everything beautifully, from the picturesque harbour to the old historical buildings, and even the local pub, and you can picture it so clearly in your mind as you are reading. The residents are absolutely brilliant, from Ruan's sister and local nanny Cordelia to barmaid Lucy (with an AMAZING backstory that I thought was so well thought out) to Buoy, Alex's reluctantly-adopted 11 year old dog, who seems to think he owns the cottage, not Alex! They all mean something to the story, and you fall in love with the place more as you read on. I'm not ashamed to say the book moved me to tears more than once, it's an emotional read, and I have to say I have never cried more over a dog in a book than I have over Buoy.

Scarlett Bailey is an utterly brilliant storyteller, and for me, Christmas wouldn't be complete from now on without one of her festive tales. This book though, is above and beyond anything else I have read this year so far, and for a long while actually. It's a book that can be enjoyed not only at Christmas, but throughout the year when you need something positive and life-affirming to turn to. There's a lot of characters, a lot going on but it's worth the time and effort to read, and it's so easy to lose yourself in the world of Alex and the residents of Poldero. Yes, there's a good bit of romance in there, with a few mishaps along the way, but it all builds to an utterly brilliant and emotional ending that will certainly leave you wanting more. I feel like I'm gushing but I really, truly adored this book. Put this one onto your Christmas lists now. It's simply brilliant.

Book News: The Winter Folly by Lulu Taylor

I have to say I did miss a Lulu Taylor novel this year, but I am pleased to say she is back shortly with a brand new novel, The Winter Folly! I am really in love with the cover, and the story sounds very different to previous stories Lulu has written before. It's out as an eBook on 4th December, but for those of us waiting for the paperback, we have to wait until the new year on 2nd January for that! I can't wait to read it, as I'm sure Lulu won't disappoint.

You can pre-order The Winter Folly as an eBook (4/12/13) or as a paperback (2/1/14) now.

"In this house there are many secrets… It is 1960 and young Alexandra Crewe is obedient enough to marry the man her father has selected for her, but both she and her husband Laurence quickly realise that their marriage is a disaster. When real love comes to her, plucking her out of her old life and into a wonderful new existence, she is powerless to resist. Her home is now a beautiful Dorset castle, but there has been a price to pay and she fears that her punishment will one day be due. When tragedy strikes, it seems that it has come, and there is only one way she can atone for her sins… In the present day, Delilah Young is the second wife of John Stirling and the new chatelaine of Fort Stirling. The house is a sad one and Delilah hopes to fill it with life and happiness. But when she attempts to heal the wounds in John’s life, it seems that the forces of the past might be too strong for her. Why does John have such a hatred for the old folly on the hill, and what happened to his mother when she vanished from his life? As she searches for the truth, Delilah realises that perhaps some secrets are better left buried . . ."

eBook Review: The Trouble with Mojitos by Romy Sommer

"Let the fairytale come alive…

Turquoise blue waters. Sandy white beaches. Mojitos…

Film location scout Kenzie Cole has found herself in paradise. And working in the Caribbean for a week is just what she needs to escape the long line of exes in her closet.

Though the last thing she expects is to be picked up at the resort bar by a disgraced former Prince!

Luckily for Kenzie, exile is suiting the man formerly known as Prince Fredrik very well. And it’s not long before his rugged, pirate charm is proving hard to resist.

But Rik’s been spending his time in paradise exorcising demons of his own and he has danger written all over him. If Kenzie was sensible she’d run a mile instead of lose herself to her lust – although, they do say that sometimes you have to get lost before you can be found…."

You can buy The Trouble with Mojitos as an eBook now or pre-order as a paperback.

Rating: 4.5/5

I first came across new author Romy Sommer when I read her debut eBook 'Waking Up In Vegas' which was published by a new division of HarperCollins called Harper Impulse. I really enjoyed Romy's fairytale come to life, and since then, I have read lots of other brilliant eBooks from Harper Impulse. I was excited when I discovered on Netgalley that Romy was back with another fairytale based romance. I didn't actually realise prior to reading it that it was actually a slight follow on from her previous book, with the same family being featured and a mention of the characters from Waking Up In Vegas making a small appearance too! It took me a while to work this out lol, although I'm really not sure why!

Kenzie Cole is sure she's got the perfect job. She gets to travel the world, finding perfect locations as a film scout for up and coming movies. She's now landed in the Caribbean for a week to scout some private islands for a new movie, but is finding herself coming up against obstacles in getting people to give her permission to go anywhere. One evening, she meets a man in a bar called Rik. The pair strike up an unlikely friendship, and when Kenzie accidentally finds out that he is the runaway Prince Frederik, she tries not to see him in a different light. The pair spend more time together, with Rik showing her the delights of the islands and much more. But Kenzie is determined not to fall for another rich playboy... although it might just be too late for that....

Like I said before, it did take me a while to make the connection between the characters in this book, and that of thosein Romy's first eBook. Now I've read both though, it's easy to make the connection! Rik, or Prince Frederik as he is better known, is first mentioned in Waking Up in Vegas when his brother Max is called back home because of a scandal involving Rik and a DNA test back home in Westerwald. I don't remember meeting Rik in the previous book as he's an absent character so it's nice to find out more about him here, away from Westerwald as well. We are also reunited with Phoenix too, the leading lady from Waking Up in Vegas, although it threw me as she's introduced by her real name, not the nickname Phoenix! You don't have to read the first book to read and love this one, but it's fun to put two and two together for this book and catch up with a new set of characters.

I loved the setting of Los Pajaros for this book. It sounds really idyllic, with lots of history, clear blue waters and lots of private islands to explore in its surroundings too. Kenzie obviously feels lucky to have her job, despite her family wishing she'd do something more serious, but who can blame her when she gets to travel the world for free?! I loved Romy's descriptions of the islands, she really paints a crystal clear picture in your mind, and I loved reading about the adventures that Kenzie and Rik get up to as well. There's a lot of sexual tension between the pair throughout the book and I liked this element of it, adding a 'will they, won't they' scenario hanging over them as they explored more of the islands together.

One of things that I really loved about the story was how unaffected Kenzie seemed by Rik's Royal connections. Even when he realises that she is aware of who he is really is, there is no nastiness between them, no him accusing her of only wanting him for the money or title. It's just pure attraction, and I really did hope that these two could have a happy ending. It is a romantic read, despite the few arguments that the pair have, and Romy Sommer certainly gives us a slow-burning romance here. Towards the end, there was a bit of a secret reveal with Kenzie, telling us something that happened in her past and made the book have a more serious turn, but this was handled so well, and I loved the way Romy wrote how Rik handled this too. It showed a deeper side to these characters, and was a good addition to the book.

The ending totally leaves this book open to having a third installment of the series, and what a little puzzle we are left with! I really enjoyed Romy Sommer's writing, it's a lovely romance and definitely has its fairytale elements too, but it was a wonderful read for me. It was light-hearted, very escapist and certainly makes you smile when you're reading about the sunny Caribbean all snuggled up under your winter duvet at home! Romy Sommer is a big talent for Harper Impulse, and I am really looking forward to the rest of the stories she has to offer, especially the third part of this series! Another fantastic fairytale romance, a must-read for me.

Blog Tour: A Cinderella Christmas by Holly Kingston

Today I am pleased to be part of Holly Kingston's blog tour for her new festive themed novel, A Cinderella Christmas! Holly has been published through Novelicious books, and it's all set on my Kindle app just waiting to be read and I can't wait, I have heard such good things about it! Holly was kind enough to write me a great piece, in fact a song, based on her novel, I wish I could hear this being sung, it's fab! :) Enjoy, and let me know if you've read the book!

You can buy A Cinderella Christmas as an eBook now!

A CINDERELLA CHRISTMAS – THE MUSICAL!
By Holly Kingston

In homage to Harry, the director of Cinderella, who’s a big fan of writing his own “interesting” lyrics. I’ve come up with the official A Cinderella Christmas song. Hopefully this will be number one in the music charts by Christmas day. I’m officially laying down the musical gauntlet. Beat this, Simon Cowell!

It probably helps to sing this after a few glasses of mulled wine, whilst swaying from side to side, next to a roaring fire, with your fingers in your ears.

To be sung, preferably out of tune, to the melody of Cliff Richard's - Mistletoe And Wine.
I have called my version, imaginatively – Panto And Wine. Hope you enjoy it!

PANTO AND WINE by Holly Kingston

Panto time, Charmaine's drinking wine,
And her singing is a crime,
With fake boobs aplenty, and filler galore,
She will look stunning forever and more.

Chorus time, Ryan's looking fine,
He's got cheekbones chiselled and divine,
With fake tan aplenty, and muscles galore
You'll buy his bio his posters and more.

Lucy time, heroine of mine,
Poor girl's working overtime,
With dogs that need walking, and more booze to buy.
She's in a cow suit that frightens the eye.

Lenin time, for Lucy he'll pine,
Cos she spoils him all the time,
With bad naughty chocolate, and costumes galore,
He'll be the main dawg of Panto for sure.

Ending time, Is Lucy fine?
Can she escape the chorus line?
She needs to be stronger, to save her career
And find a good fella to finish her year.

Thanks for singing!

PS This was nearly an audio blog. But no one needs to hear my tonal issues. I’d make Charmaine sound like Whitney Houston. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

A Cinderella Christmas, by Holly Kingston, is available to buy on Amazon now. To celebrate, Novelicious is hosting 12 Days of Christmas giveaways with prizes including a Kobo Glo eReader, a festive weekend for two in Edinburgh and luxury food hampers galore!

Thank you so much, Holly!

Book Review: I Heart Christmas by Lindsey Kelk

"Angela’s planning her very own fairytale of New York…

• Enormous Christmas tree
• Eggnog
• Eccentric British traditions
• Gorgeous man

But Santa’s throwing her a few curveballs – new job (as if it’s not mental enough already), new baby-craze from her best friend Jenny, and Alex determined they should grow up and settle down. Once friends start turning up uninvited on her doorstep (and leading her astray), can Angela really have a merry little Christmas? So much for happy holidays – something’s got to give…"

Rating: 5/5

You can buy I Heart Christmas as a paperback or an eBook now!

Who's pleased that the fantastic Angela is back at last?! I was over the moon when Lindsey Kelk announced that she was bringing back Angela and co for a festive installment of the 'I Heart...' series, especially because I thought her last, I Heart London was the last in the series. I was therefore thrilled to receive a very early proof copy of the book, and quickly got stuck in to it. In fact, it was the first festive read of 2013 for me, and certainly kicked it off in style. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop and really enjoyed every page, it was fantastic to be back with Angela in New York once more!

Angela's having Christmas in New York, and she is really pleased with that. She's finally gotten married to Alex, and the pair have happily settled into married life. Angela's loving her job at the magazine, and Alex's music career is going strength to strength, leaving Angela lots of time to plan their first Christmas together as newlyweds, and to make it one that's unforgettable. However, as is always the case with Angela, things don't quite go to plan. Angela soon finds herself with a new job, Alex deciding that the pair need to grow up and settle down like proper adults and her best friend from London suddenly arriving on her doorstep in a bit of a tizz. Angela feels like her perfect Christmas is slipping away from her and fast... can she save this Christmas and make it one to remember?!

This is the sixth book in Lindsey Kelk's 'I Heart...' series, and getting back into the swing of the story with these characters was like getting to know a friend again! I really love Angela, she's one of my favourite chick lit characters of all time, and this was definitely the case with this one. I loved Angela for wanting a perfect Christmas, she really loves the festive season, and doing Christmas in New York just sounds perfect, and I can't blame her for wanting it to be exactly right! She's a bit confused in this book, with a lot going on and poor old Angela ends up getting herself a bit frazzled, and rightly so to be honest! She's a hugely busy woman, thanks to her recent new job and the arrival of her British best friend Louisa and young daughter, not to mention Jenny seemingly going crazy too!

I really loved the pacing of this book. It starts well, before Christmas with the excitable build up, and Kelk puts this across so well, with Angela keen to decorate her huge Christmas tree in their tiny flat, and hiding presents all over the place. Things aren't always plain sailing in their marriage, and I feel that Lindsey Kelk has tackled important issues here that are very realistic and a lot of young couples have to face, and it was interesting to read the uncertainty between Alex and Angela for a change, and I could certainly argue for both points of view, although I was slightly more leaning on Alex's side if truth be told! The story with Jenny seemed a little bizarre to me, but then again, Jenny Lopez is a tad bizzare herself and she certainly adds some comedy moments to it, as well as a rather poignant scene involving Angela, one that shocked me and really struck a chord with me too.

Of course there are quite a few calamaties throughout the book, poor old Angela certainly knows how to find herself in the middle of them, and they really are funny! There's an absolutely hilarious scene involving Angela and an air vent, a mad dash around New York searching for a missing person and much, much more that had me chuckling away as I was reading. Without wanting to spoil too much as well,  there's a surprise return for a character from previous novels and it was brilliant having this person back too, it certainly added a bit more drama to the book! And of course another amazing part of the book is that it's set in New York at Christmas, one of my favourite places in the world, and Angela seemed to love it as much as me! Kelk brings to life all of those amazing sights and the festive feeling, and it was just brilliant from start to finish.

I cannot tell you how much I loved this book, and being back with Angela, Alex and the gang again, especially at Christmas time. I really hope this isn't the last that we see of these characters, although in a way it's the perfect ending to an utterly brilliant and classic chick lit series. Angela was as hilarious as ever, there were lots of laughs as well as some more serious and poignant moments for this well loved character, and I was really feeling the emotions along with her as I was reading. The festive feeling was apparent all the way through the book, despite Angela's hectic schedule, and I had everything crossed for the perfect Christmas for her despite everything! While this book would work okay as a stand-alone novel, it's best read as part of the brilliant series, and if you've read them all so far, you definitely WON'T want to miss out on this! A super festive treat that shouldn't be missed!!

Book Review: The Proposal by Tasmina Perry

"Just say yes to this unforgettable read and take a spellbinding, romantic journey from the dazzling days of the debutantes in 1950s London to glamorous modern Manhattan.

When Amy Carrell's wealthy boyfriend ends their relationship just before Christmas, she's left to nurse her broken heart alone. With nothing to lose, she replies to an advertisement requesting a companion for a mysterious 'Manhattan adventure'. 

Whisked off to New York with eccentric British aristocrat Georgia Hamilton, Amy experiences a glamorous side of the city that she's never seen before. Along the way, Georgia initiates her protegee in the arts of old-school elegance. 

But as Georgia shares her life lessons, Amy discovers a painful secret in her mentor's past. A secret that shattered her future. A story of love and betrayal that only Amy has the power to put right."

Rating: 5/5

You can buy The Proposal as a hardback or an eBook now.

I am a big fan of Tasmina Perry's summer blockbuster novels - in fact, they are quite often one of the highlights of my summer reading, and together with her gorgeous book covers, they always tell me summer has well and truly arrived! However, Tasmina has decided to break from tradition and has brought us a winter-themed novel - not only that but it's a breakaway from her blockbuster traditions too, with more of a love story, split between modern day New York and 1950's debutante London. I was hoping it would be just as good as Tasmina's other novels I have loved before, and luckily she hasn't let me down!

Amy Carrell, a talented dancer from New York now living is London, is gutted when her rather wealthy boyfriend dumps her just before Christmas. She feels like she wasn't good enough for him, and now doesn't know what to do at Christmas now she's by herself. When she spots a small advert in a newspaper asking for a companion for a New York adventure, she decides it is worth the risk if she can get to see her beloved family for just a few days. Amy is taken over to New York by wealthy British aristocrat Georgia. Georgia is determined to see the sights of New York at last, and is fascinated with Amy's account of her city. Georgia decides she can show young Amy a thing or two as well, and the pair strike up an unlikely friendship. As the pair spend more time together, Amy uncovers something in Georgia's past that the older woman would rather keep a secret. Will Amy be able to write those wrongs, or is it too late?

What I loved about this book was the way it really focused on Georgia and Amy, and that's pretty much it. While other characters in the book come and go as it moves between past and present, our two leading ladies remain and I loved that, I felt very invested in their stories because of it. I really liked both of them as well, both incredibly different women with totally different outlooks on life, but each respectful of each other's worlds too. I did very sorry for Amy, stuck in a different country from her family at Christmastime and being dumped too, but she had a good heart and was determined to make the most of it. The adventure with Georgia just brought her out of herself and I really enjoyed reading about New York from both a native's (Amy's) and a tourist's (Georgia's) points of view.

I've lost count of how many novels I have read set in New York, and although I've been lucky enough to visit twice, it is still magical to read about it in books and picture the places that I've visited myself as well as mentally making a list of the places to visit when I next go! While the modern New York scenes were fantastic reading, it was the part's set in 1950's London that I really loved. Before I started this book, I didn't know much about the debutante scene, the balls, gowns and traditions that went with it so this was an eye-opener for me too. It was fun reading about a much younger Georgia too, and her struggled to fit in on a circuit where she felt she didn't belong. Her relationship with her mother was touching too, and some of the characters she meets along the way were very interesting, and certainly open up your eyes to the expectations of that time.

There's a bit of a mystery running throughout, in that we know something happened in Georgia's past that left her a bit broken, and she is feuding with her family but we don't find out until nearly the end what it is. I liked this small touch of her summer blockbusters in this lovely wintery novel, and I was shocked when I found out what it was - for me, it was totally unexpected. I loved how it was all handled though, and it brings together the 1950's part and the modern day perfectly, and for me the ending was just perfect. By the end, I loved both Georgia and Amy, and was sad to see them go, I could have read much more about these two women. For me, this book was utterly brilliant, and I loved every page. I needn't have worried about not enjoying it as much as Tasmina's summer novels because this was brilliant too, in a totally different way. It had it's festive part, with it being set in the run up to Christmas, and with Amy enjoying Christmas with her family at last (very emotional!), but more than that it's a story of lasting love that defies the years. A beautifully romantic story spanning the ages that you will love.