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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...

Snowflakes over Moondance Cottage by Rosie Green #Review


Having enjoyed Rosie Green's Little Duck Pond Cafe series, I am delighted to be part of the celebrations for Snowflakes over Moondance Cottage which is her latest festive full length novel.

When Jess Thornton’s dad was lost at sea, the family coped in different ways, alone in their grief. Now, her mum seems to be going off the rails and her sister, Isla, who moved to France, is now back and determined to get their old family home on the market. But the last thing Jess wants this Christmas is for renovations to start on the house. It’s sure to stir up all sorts of memories she’s desperate to avoid. And to make things worse, Isla appears to have hired the most obnoxious builder in the world to do the work. Jess could ignore the fact that women seem to be putty in his hands. But what she finds harder to ignore is the frisson she gets every time she squeezes past him in the mess that is now their beloved old home! 

Can the family finally start talking and find a way to move on from the past this Christmas?


My Thoughts

 Trying to move on is difficult for Jess and the sight of her family home being renovated proves to be tough for her to bear. You gradually find out more about her family and what has led to her living on her own in a flat in the village. Despite the fact that she has moved out, she is still unable to sort through her family's possessions without raking up some bittersweet memories. 

     This is a festive read which comes alive with feelings of home and family. Occasionally, there are slightly darker undertones as the family come to terms with loss and grief but despite this, it is full of hope, reconciliation and moving on.  Rosie Green is a great storyteller and kept me engaged to the end as Jess found out that some of her beliefs might not be accurate. Her relationship with her sister is interesting too as secrets from her past come bubbling up to the surface. 

In short: great, festive storytelling.
     
About the Author



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.

Rosie's brand new series of novellas is centred around life in a village cafe. The latest, 'Bonfires & Hot Chocolate at the Little Duck Pond Cafe', is out now.

Watch out for 'A Winter Wedding at the Little Duck Pond Cafe', which will be published Christmas 2019.

Rosie is also writing a full-length, standalone book for Christmas 2019, entitled 'Snowflakes over Moondance Cottage'.

You can follow Rosie here: Twitter

 
Book links: Amazon UK   |  Amazon US 
 
Thanks to Rosie Green and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the event.
 

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