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Coming Home to Maple Lodge by Alison Sherlock #Review

  I am delighted to feature the first in Alison Sherlock's new series set in the Corswolds. Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge was published by Boldwood Books on June 20th. A family and hotel in desperate need of help… Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads. With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the com...

Bluebell's Christmas Magic by Marie Laval #Review #Giveaway

Bluebell's Christmas Magic is casting its spell over the blog today. This festive read by Marie Laval was released by Choc Lit on 19th November. There is also a great Giveaway to enter. Details on how to do so are at the foot of this post.

A gorgeous new Christmas story from the author of best selling novel Little Pink Taxi

 A flick of a feather duster and a sprinkle of Christmas magic ... 

Cassie Bell is used to mess. Her cleaning business, Bluebell Cleaning, is wellknown in the Cumbrian village of Red Moss. However, now it’s almost Christmas and Cassie has a slightly messier situation to deal with than she’s used to.

She’s been hired to help Stefan Lambert, an injured army helicopter pilot who’s staying at the local Belthorn Manor whilst he recovers. Stefan resents Cassie’s interference and is definitely not looking for Christmas cheer. But Cassie prides herself on sparkling surfaces –so, can she bring some festive sparkle to Stefan’s life too?



                                                                                     My Thoughts

I have found that Marie Laval's novels seem to be a satisfying mix of romance and mystery and this one is no exception, with the added spice of a little touch of magic (maybe...). I thoroughly enjoyed Cassie and Stefan's story. They were such a good contrast at the beginning. Stefan is a broken soul who has been through a traumatic experience and is scarred, physically and emotionally. Enter the bustling Cassie with an open- hearted personality and desire to make life better for those she knows. Watching how Stefan reacts to her kindness and her wish to do her best enables you to begin to see what is going on under the surface. 

    Mixed in with the suspicion and nasty goings-on of some characters, we have some light-hearted touches to add humour. Cassie's grandfather's jokes raise a smile as does the last minute Tarzan themed wedding which Cassie has to design. I also loved the setting of the isolated house where Stefan is hoping to cut  himself off from the world. This is a great festive read, full of family and warmth and there are plenty of subplots to keep you interested right to the end.

In short: Beauty and the Beast

   


 

                                                                             About the Author



Originally from Lyon in France, Marie now lives in Lancashire
with her family. She works full-time as a modern languages teacher and in her spare time she loves writing romance and dreaming about romantic heroes. She writes both historical and contemporary romance. Her historical romance The Lion’s Embrace won the Gold Medal at the Global Ebook Awards 2015 (category Historical Romance), and best-selling Little Pink Taxi was her debut romantic comedy novel with Choc Lit. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors. Her native France, as well as her passion for history and research, very much influences her writing, and all her novels have what she likes to call ‘a French twist’!


You can follow Marie here: Twitter   |  Website    |  Pinterest 
                                           |  Facebook



Book links: Amazon UKAmazon US  



Thanks to Marie and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 





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 Giveaway (UK only)


To win a small canvas purse and a thick notebook (Open to UK Only) just follow the link below and good luck!

*Terms and Conditions–UK entries welcome.Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.


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