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The Bookseller by Valerie Keogh #Review

  Today I am featurung the latest psychological thriller by Valerie Keogh . The Bookseller was published by Boldwood Books on March 3rd. A woman with a dark past... Helen Appleby just wants a quiet life. Recently released from prison for the manslaughter of her partner, she's trying to forget her past mistakes – all of them - to rebuild her life and move on. When she decides to open a bookshop, she’s certain this is the perfect new start. Here, amongst the quiet shelves of her shop and between the covers of her books, she can hide away from the real world and begin again. The world of books the perfect place to find happiness - even if it is all lies. But the past can never stay hidden… As she settles into life as an apparently timid bookseller, it seems that someone is determined to sabotage Helen's new life and ruin everything she's built. But Helen has killed once before. And to protect her future, she could be willing to kill again... Don't miss anot...

Christmas in Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May #Review #CICB

 

Having enjoyed Nicola May's Cockleberry Bay series, I am delighted to feature a festive return visit with Christmas in Cockleberry Bay.


Meet old and new characters in the Bay for Christmas fun and frolics.

With both the Corner Shop and Cockleberry Café in safe hands, Rosa turns her attention to Ned’s Gift, the charity set up in memory of the great-grandfather whose legacy turned her life around.

Over at the Ship Hotel, Lucas has his work cut out with his devious new girlfriend and the mystery poisoning of an anonymous hotel inspector. Will the hotel still get its 3-star Seaside Rosette?

Will Mary find true love at last? Can Titch cope with the demands of the shop and being heavily pregnant. And can Rosa, with a baby of her own, pull off the Cockleberry Bay Charity Christmas Concert in time?

Christmas in Cockleberry Bay is a festive delight for fans of Rosa and her cheeky mini dachshund Hot, delivering a feast of unpredictable events and surprises.


 My Thoughts

Cockleberry Bay seems to be the same tight knit community and their efforts culminate in a great carol competition organised by Rosa. Rosa is still the spiky but down to earth character we met before. Still a little suspicious with some, she is a loyal friend  and determined to carry on with her charitable work. She does seem to be under a pressure though as Josh is working away and she is still adjusting to motherhood. Rosa learns from her mistakes and her friends and family look out for her. 

    This isn't a sugar coated, rose coloured glasses look at the festive season. Some people are working for their own deceitful ends. However. the underlying message is one of tolerance towards family and friendship. Rosa gains confidence in her own abilities and is enjoying consolidating her family around her.  There are plenty of humorous moments and of course the animals are as loveable as ever. 

In short: An enjoyable festive visit to Cockleberry Bay

About the Author


Nicola May is a rom-com superstar. She is the author of eleven romantic comedies, all of which have appeared in the Kindle bestseller charts. Two of them won awards at the Festival of Romance, and another was named ebook of the week in The Sun. The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay became the best-selling Kindle book in the UK, across all genres, in January 2019, and was Amazon’s third-bestselling novel in that year.

She lives near Ascot racecourse with her black-and-white rescue cat, Stan.

 

You can read my review of The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay  and an interview with Nicola May here,
my review of Meet Me in Cockleberry Bay here.  and my review of The Gift of Cockleberry Bay here.

You can follow Nicola here:   Website   |  Facebook   |  Twitter
                                             |  Instagram
 

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