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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...

The Sunrise Sisterhood by Cathy Bramley #Review

I am thrilled to be invited to be part of the celebrations for the latest feelgood novel by Cathy Bramley. The Sunrise Sisterhood was published on May 11th by Orion


 Three generations of women, and the summer that saved them.

The holidays are here, and in Salcombe, Liz longs for the arrival of her god-daughters, Skye and Clare and Clare's daughter baby Ivy. After years on her own, she needs help to save the catering business she built with Clare's late mother, Jen.

However, half-sisters Skye and Clare couldn't be more different, struggling with family secrets and hidden jealousies. As the women navigate this unexpected summer together, truths are revealed and their relationships are put to the test.


The Sunrise Sisterhood is a summery slice of joyful escapism as well as an emotional drama about three women healed by the sparkling waves of Salcombe and the power of the sisterhood.


My Thoughts

This is a gem of a novel which takes you through the story of three generations. Over the course of a Summer, Liz and her god-daughters, Clare and Skye work through the dynamics of their relationships and come to terms with what sort of future they want to have. Clare and Skye are half-sisters but have had a difficult relationship growing up, complicated by their parents’ marriages. In particular, their father has been problematic and it seems they have always wanted his approval. For most of the story, he comes across as a superficial character but ultimately you realise why he behaves as he does. Clare has been determined to be independent as a way of avoiding what she sees as inevitable rejection. Skye has spent five years abroad as an escape from her distant family.

    Grief and loss looms large in the story and you feel that Liz in particular has been suffering from its effects. Turning to alcohol, she has been mourning the death of Clare and Skye’s mother and although she has held a torch for their father, she has been struggling to imagine her future without her friend. Secrets from the past emerge and change how they regard each other. This is an uplifting story full of warmth which looks at ideas of family and friendship. I was invested in all their story threads as the women showed their strength of character as they learnt to accept help from each other and face up to their true desires.

In short: a Devon Summer of friendship


About the Author

 

 

Cathy Bramley is the Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author of THE LEMON TREE CAFE. Her other romantic comedies include Ivy Lane, Appleby Farm, Wickham Hall, Conditional Love, The Plumberry School of Comfort Food and White Lies and Wishes. She lives in a Nottinghamshire village with her family and a dog.

 

Cathy turned to writing after spending eighteen years running her own marketing agency. She has been always an avid reader, never without a book on the go and now thinks she may have found her dream job!

You can follow Cathy here:  Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Book link: Amazon UK 

Thanks to Cathy Bramley,  and Frankie Banks of  Orion for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

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