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Death at the Village Christmas Fair by Debbie Young #Review #CotswoldCuriosityShopMysteriesBook3 #PublicationDay

  I am delighted to feature this cozy crime novel, Death at the Village Christmas Fair  by Debbie Young . It is published today by Boldwood Books on August 16th.   It’s been a busy year for Alice Carroll, with her Curiosity Shop opening for business, and not one but two murders shaking things up in her quaint Cotswold village. She’s looking forward to her first countryside Christmas, complete with traditional Christmas Fair and Santa Run. But her hopes for innocent festive fun are thwarted when one of the Santa Runners steals something from her mum's knitting stall. His festive outfit makes him hard to spot, until he's found fatally injured outside the village hall with the stolen item. Despite what the police say, Alice suspects there's more to his murder than meets the eye. She's determined to solve the mystery - including why, once more, a stranger thought something from her Curiosity Shop was worth killing for. With the help of her charming neighbour Rob...

The Cornish Village School - Second Chances by Kitty Wilson ** Blog Tour Review**


Today I am happy to return to Kitty Wilson's The Cornish Village School series with Second Chances. You can read the first in the series, Breaking the Rules here.



Ex-ballerina and single mum Sylvie is in trouble. Juggling her ballet classes in the nearest town, preparing shy Sam for his first day at Penmenna Village school and trying to finally move out from the farm she shares with her cantankerous Uncle Tom means life is anything but easy.

Television Journalist Alex is facing challenges of his own. Seeking a calmer environment for his newly adopted daughter, Ellie, he’s swapped reporting in war zones for the school PTA in quiet Penmenna, where his best friend Chase has persuaded him to start laying some roots.

Fireworks ignite when Sylvie and Alex meet but as Ellie and Sam become instant best friends, will they be able to keep things strictly platonic for the sake of the children?

The second book in the feel-good and rib-tickling Cornish Village School series. Perfect for fans of Tilly Tennant, Holly Martin and Cathy Bramley.



My Thoughts

It felt lovely to return to The Cornish Village School Series and I was soon immersed back into village life. This is a relaxing read and full of the feelgood factor. I found Sylvie to be a well-drawn character and she seemed to be so relatable. I enjoyed getting the story from both Sylvie and Alex's perspectives which filled out the story and helped to explain why they reacted as they did in certain situations.

    One of the most enjoyable parts of the writing is the gentle humour to be found in some of the supporting characters. Marion is good value, as before and I found Sylvie's Uncle Tom with his slightly gruff manner to add a real human touch. The two children, Sam and Ellie, are full of fun and say aloud exactly what they are seeing and hoping for which is quite endearing. Ellie's story takes you far away from the confines of Cornwall. You find yourself rooting for Sylvie and Alex and hoping that they can put down roots in the village and create the family they both seem to be yearning for.

In short: A heart-warming read about friends and friendship.


 
About the Author
Kitty Wilson lived in Cornwall for twenty-five years having been dragged there, against her will, as a stroppy teen. She is now remarkably grateful to her parents for their foresight and wisdom – and that her own children aren’t as hideous. Recently she has moved to Bristol, but only for love and on the understanding that she and her partner will be returning to Cornwall to live very soon. She spends most of her time welded to the keyboard, dreaming of the beach or bombing back down the motorway for a quick visit! She has a penchant for very loud music, equally loud dresses and romantic heroines who speak their mind. 

You can follow Kitty here: Twitter 

Book links: Amazon UK | Kobo UK | Google UK | Apple UK 

Thanks to Kitty Wilson and Ellie Pilcher of Canelo for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Follow the rest of the tour!

 

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