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Maddy's Christmas Wedding by Rosie Green #LittleDuckPondCafeBook37#review

  Here we are at Book 37 in the Little Duck Pond Cafe series! Maddie's Christmas Wedding is the latest novella by Rosie Green.   With the wedding of the year approaching, excitement is running high at the café! But there's just one problem. Maddy is grappling with a secret. Could it derail all of hers and Jack's glorious plans for their big day? Will there actually be a wedding?   My Thoughts In this latest festive story, we are taken out of Sunnybrook, in fact, out of the country and taken for a wintry stay in Lapland. It is Maddy's hen party gathering so some of the Little Duck Pond characters are along too. The story continues on from the earlier Cosy Nights and Snowball Fights . The setting is idyllic and so different to life at home. Everything shimmers and shines in the snow and the temperatures are extreme. Maddy should be having the time of her life but she finds that she has a lot on her mind and a heartbreaking decision to make.     With the men le...
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The Cottage in the Highlands by Julie Shackman #Review #ScottishEscapesBook3

Today we are visiting Scotland forthe third in the Scottish Escapes series, The Cottahe in the Highlands by Julie Shackman. It was published by One More Chapter on December 1st. You can read my reviews of the first two in the series here: A Secret Scottish Escape. |  A Scottish Highland Surprise . 

 
When Leonie Baxter finds herself out of a job and out of a relationship, she’s at her wits end. Her life has just been turned upside down and she needs a plan, fast.

By chance, on a walk with her rescue puppy, Leonie stumbles across a striking house in the woods; fully furnished but unoccupied. As a journalist, she is determined to find out more, after all, reporting is in her nature.

But her attempts are thwarted by Lily Cruickshank who lives in the cottage next door. Why won’t Lily help Leonie? And who is the mysterious Flynn Talbot, whose letter Leonie finds inside the house?

And in uncovering the secrets of the abandoned house, will Leonie open her own heart and let love back into her life?

The brand new escapist story from the bestselling author of A Secret Scottish Escape and A Scottish Highland Surprise, for fans of Jo Thomas, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley.


 My Thoughts

This is an enjoyable read which I am sure, draws on the author's experience as a journalist. Leonie is a likeable character who is self-motivated and keen to further her career in investigative journalism. Her ambition however does not rule her and her kind nature and trustworthiness shines through. This is a story with several strand. Alongside Leonie's investigations, runs a mystery connected with an old house and an enduring love story. It makes for an interesting read.

    You also see contrasting family dynamics and below the surface, some shocking and serious issues. It all makes for a story with plenty of appeal. I also enjoyed Leonie's colleagues who were at times amusingly drawn.  The Scottish setting is incorporated into the story, both the city of Glasgow and on the coast at Silver Ness, which Leonie loves so much. You certainly feel that it is a place which keeps her grounded. 

In short: a winter's tale of mystery and romance



About the Author

 

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She is married, has two sons and has a Romanian rescue puppy, Cooper. The Cottage in the Highlands is Julie’s seventh novel.

 

You can follow Julie here:  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram 

Book links: Amazon UK  |  Amazon US 

Thanks to Julie Shackman, One More Chapter and Rachel of Random Things Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

Check out the rest of the tour!


 

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