Blog Tour ~ Review | A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas ~ Darcie Boleyn

Title: A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas

Author: Darcie Boleyn

Release Date: 7th November 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Canelo

Format: ebook

Rating: 4/5

Goodreads | Amazon

                    

Lucie Quigley hates Christmas. It’s the time of year when everything goes wrong in her life. So this year, when she’s asked to be a bridesmaid at her friend Petra’s Manhattan wedding, she jumps at the invitation to escape the festivities.

Dale Treharne has been best friends with Lucie for as long as he can remember. He’s used to looking out for his oldest friend and when she asks him to be her plus one, he can’t seem to find a reason to refuse. Instead, he sees it as a way to help Lucie get through what is, for her, the most miserable time of the year.

In New York, as the snow starts to fall, Lucie and Dale start to realise that their feelings run deeper than just friendship. But can they overcome their pasts, and make it a very merry Manhattan Christmas? 

                     

Today I'm delighted to be kicking off the blog tour for the lovely Darcie Boleyn and her new novel, A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas.

I'm a huge fan of Darcie's, especially last years festive book, Wish Upon A Christmas Cake, so couldn't wait to get stuck into this one as for me, Darcie's writing is at it's absolute best when she writes seasonally.

A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas tells the story of Lucie and Dale - life long best friends whom are hiding their true feelings from each other.

Dale has always been there for Lucie, she comes across as a bit of a scatter brain but has had quite a few troubled times in her past and Dale is her rock.

So when she is invited to Manhattan for an old university friends wedding, she ask's Dale to be her plus one, and knowing that Lucie would probably miss her flight if he didn't go, he accepts.

Can I just say right here... Dale.. oh Dale. Everyone needs a Dale this Christmas, I think he could be the book boyfriend of the year...

Anyway, back to it...

In the build up to the pair leaving for Petra's wedding, they have to confront Dale's parents - a force to be reckoned with by all accounts, however the blow is softened when Mrs Trehearne assumes that Dale is accompanying Lucie as they have finally got together.

Deciding to go along with the lie until after Christmas, both Lucie and Dale struggle to suppress their true feelings, but one lie turns to another and the pair not only end up having to share a very swanky Manhattan hotel room together, it is also presumed that they have gotten engaged too.

A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas has all the makings of a lovely dovey story, however the further you read, the deeper Lucie's history goes - I won't obviously tell you all the book's secrets as you really should read for yourself, but I really felt for Lucie with everything she had gone through and kept quite about.

On the other hand, I really wanted to bash her head together with Dale's as it was clear they were besotted with each other, and despite having a teenage fling and remaining friends, they didn't want to risk their friendship again.

Manhattan seems to be the hot spot location for many books this winter, and Darcie's is no exception. With her warm and witty writing style, teamed with some sensitive sub plots, made A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas a delight to read. It was a real page turner in the sense that one minute Lucie and Dale seem to give in to their feelings, the next they seem to back off.

The sub plots I mentioned, worked alongside nicely and I love the symbolic heart balloon on the cover which will all become clear as you read on.

Snow, horse and carriage rides, champagne adding to the Christmas cheer from Dale, makes this Christmas one for Lucie to enjoy and remember.

                

With thanks to Darcie, Canelo and Faye for providing a review copy and allowing me to participate in the tour.

About the Author

Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real softy. She never fails to cry at books and movies, whether the ending is happy or not. Darcie is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps her awake at night. Her childhood dream was to become a Jedi but she hasn’t yet found suitable transport to take her to a galaxy far, far away. She also has reservations about how she’d look in a gold bikini, as she rather enjoys red wine, cheese and loves anything with ginger or cherries in it – especially chocolate. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her laptop.

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Blog Tour ~ Review | A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas ~ Darcie Boleyn

Title: A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas

Author: Darcie Boleyn

Release Date: 7th November 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Canelo

Format: ebook

Rating: 4/5

Goodreads | Amazon

                    

Lucie Quigley hates Christmas. It’s the time of year when everything goes wrong in her life. So this year, when she’s asked to be a bridesmaid at her friend Petra’s Manhattan wedding, she jumps at the invitation to escape the festivities.

Dale Treharne has been best friends with Lucie for as long as he can remember. He’s used to looking out for his oldest friend and when she asks him to be her plus one, he can’t seem to find a reason to refuse. Instead, he sees it as a way to help Lucie get through what is, for her, the most miserable time of the year.

In New York, as the snow starts to fall, Lucie and Dale start to realise that their feelings run deeper than just friendship. But can they overcome their pasts, and make it a very merry Manhattan Christmas? 

                     

Today I'm delighted to be kicking off the blog tour for the lovely Darcie Boleyn and her new novel, A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas.

I'm a huge fan of Darcie's, especially last years festive book, Wish Upon A Christmas Cake, so couldn't wait to get stuck into this one as for me, Darcie's writing is at it's absolute best when she writes seasonally.

A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas tells the story of Lucie and Dale - life long best friends whom are hiding their true feelings from each other.

Dale has always been there for Lucie, she comes across as a bit of a scatter brain but has had quite a few troubled times in her past and Dale is her rock.

So when she is invited to Manhattan for an old university friends wedding, she ask's Dale to be her plus one, and knowing that Lucie would probably miss her flight if he didn't go, he accepts.

Can I just say right here... Dale.. oh Dale. Everyone needs a Dale this Christmas, I think he could be the book boyfriend of the year...

Anyway, back to it...

In the build up to the pair leaving for Petra's wedding, they have to confront Dale's parents - a force to be reckoned with by all accounts, however the blow is softened when Mrs Trehearne assumes that Dale is accompanying Lucie as they have finally got together.

Deciding to go along with the lie until after Christmas, both Lucie and Dale struggle to suppress their true feelings, but one lie turns to another and the pair not only end up having to share a very swanky Manhattan hotel room together, it is also presumed that they have gotten engaged too.

A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas has all the makings of a lovely dovey story, however the further you read, the deeper Lucie's history goes - I won't obviously tell you all the book's secrets as you really should read for yourself, but I really felt for Lucie with everything she had gone through and kept quite about.

On the other hand, I really wanted to bash her head together with Dale's as it was clear they were besotted with each other, and despite having a teenage fling and remaining friends, they didn't want to risk their friendship again.

Manhattan seems to be the hot spot location for many books this winter, and Darcie's is no exception. With her warm and witty writing style, teamed with some sensitive sub plots, made A Very Merry Manhattan Christmas a delight to read. It was a real page turner in the sense that one minute Lucie and Dale seem to give in to their feelings, the next they seem to back off.

The sub plots I mentioned, worked alongside nicely and I love the symbolic heart balloon on the cover which will all become clear as you read on.

Snow, horse and carriage rides, champagne adding to the Christmas cheer from Dale, makes this Christmas one for Lucie to enjoy and remember.

                

With thanks to Darcie, Canelo and Faye for providing a review copy and allowing me to participate in the tour.

About the Author

Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real softy. She never fails to cry at books and movies, whether the ending is happy or not. Darcie is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps her awake at night. Her childhood dream was to become a Jedi but she hasn’t yet found suitable transport to take her to a galaxy far, far away. She also has reservations about how she’d look in a gold bikini, as she rather enjoys red wine, cheese and loves anything with ginger or cherries in it – especially chocolate. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her laptop.

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Blog Tour ~ Guest Post | It's A Wonderful Life ~ Julia Williams

I'm delighted to be talking part in the blog tour for Julia Williams' 10th - yes 10th!! -novel, It's A Wonderful Life, which is published by Avon.

For today's stop, Julia has very kindly offered to share her favourite festive movies with us, and we would love to know what your's is too so please comment below.

Its A Wonderful Life

Julia Williams

Avon

November 2016

Kindle | Paperback

Christmas with the family. Cosy, relaxing…and a total nightmare?

Driving home for Christmas, Beth has everything she wants. The kids and the house, the career and the husband. So why is it that when the New Year comes, she can’t stop thinking about her old college boyfriend?

Her husband Daniel is tasked with bringing a struggling school up to scratch, but when family life catches up to him, can he be a good father and a good teacher at the same time?

Beth’s sister Lou has just been dumped…again. Single and childless, she can’t help but be jealous of her sibling’s success. But is the grass really always greener?

It’s a Wonderful Life is a heart-warming novel about the lives that could have been, and what happens when you start to question the choices you made…

My favourite Christmas films... by Julia Williams

Ah, Christmas. Where would we be without fighting the family for the television control? There’s always something someone doesn’t want to watch. But never fear, here’s my definitive Must-Watch films for the festive season, some old, some new, but there should be at least one in here that everyone can agree on...

1 The Wizard of Oz

To anyone over the age of 45, Christmas isn’t complete without a viewing of this family favourite. (HEY, we grew up with three channels and it was on every year). However, it’s a film which still has appeal for a modern audience, and given the popularity of Wicked, there’s still room for modern families to revisit the charming story of Dorothy, Scarecrow, The Tin Man, The Cowardly Lion (my favourite character) and enjoy the old classic songs for the umpteenth time.  And where better than to watch it in the company of your nearest and dearest? After all, there is no place like home...

2 Home Alone

Always a firm favourite to those who grew up in the eighties, this is a story which never loses its appeal. McCauley Culkin never ceases to be cute. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, never stop being funny. It’s a film which makes you laugh out loud however many times you see it, and you’d have to be a complete  Scrooge not to feel touched by that heart-warming ending. What’s not to love?

3 Die Hard

For those without an emotional bone in their body (do such people exist? Apparently they do) a bit of 90s mindless violence is just the ticket. Bruce Willis’ solo fight against Alan Rickman’s baddie to save a bunch of hostages, and get back together with his Mrs still pulls its punches. Snow, fist fights, Bruce going it alone, getting the girl - and all done and dusted by Christmas Eve. It’s the perfect Christmas movie for those who don’t do soppy. And even those who do, can always enjoy seeing Bruce at his very very best…

4 The Holiday

However, for those for whom Christmas isn’t Christmas without a chance to get gooey at least once, I offer you The Holiday: a near perfect rom com in which career focussed Cameron Diaz swaps houses for the Christmas season with jilted Kate Winslet. They both find love in unexpected places, and it’s a wonderful, touching and fabulous film. But be prepared to get your hankie out!

5 Star Wars (THE ORIGINAL)

This is going a bit off piste, but I saw the original film during a Christmas holiday, and for me, the excitement Star Wars offers is what Christmas viewing is all about. But it has to be the ORIGINAL three movies as they are just brilliant. (Although I might let you have the third prequel). I am particularly fond of Princess Leia’s sassy no-nonsense approach to destroying the Empire and not needing help from the boys to do it. Star Wars is a must for SF nerds (that’ll be me then) and the good news is with the revival of the franchise there’s plenty more to come. So we’ll probably be watching Star Wars for many Christmases to come!

6 Frozen

If Star Wars is just too out there for you at Christmas and you REALLY insist on seasonal films then Frozen is a must. A great modern feminist story, about sisters and friendship. A frozen heart, a great baddy, a cute snowman called Olaf, and true love saving the day in a way you don’t imagine, this is fabulous festive viewing. So, get your pjs on, bring out the hot chocolate and get cosy on the sofa...

7 The Woman in Black

True love and Disney cartoons are all very well, but Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a ghost story to complete it, and The Woman in Black is a ghost story par excellence. Granted watching Daniel Radcliffe play something other than Harry Potter takes some getting used to, but you’ll soon be caught up in the creepiness and suspense of the house haunted by the mysterious woman in black, whose appearance generally presages doom.  I’ve watched it three times now, and still it makes me jump...

8 The Nightmare before Christmas

If you’re not so keen on scares, but enjoy a bit of Tm Burton gothic quirkiness, A Nightmare before Christmas is just great. Telling the story of how Jack Skellington (an unlikely hero given he’s a skeleton, but a deeply affecting one) gets fed up with always being in charge of Halloween and decides to kidnap Santa and put on a Christmas no one will ever forget, it’s by turns, funny, moving and very gothic. You may never look at the presents under the tree in quite the same way again...

9 Elf

Ok, ok, maybe gothic weirdness isn’t for you, so for utter cuteness and the perfect way to end Christmas Day, I give you Elf. A film I only saw for the first time this year, but will now be watching over and over again. Will Ferrell’s utterly clueless Buddy, who doesn’t know he is human, turning up at his real dad’s house and trying to fit in is just genius. Again, touching and funny by turns. I cannot believe it took me so long to see it!

10 It’s a Wonderful Life

And finally… it had to be really, didn’t it? The story of how George Bailey is so distraught he plans to take his life on Christmas Eve before being talked out of it by an angel called Clarence who has to earn his wings, is fully deserving of the word classic. It’s a fabulous film, with a powerful message, and a really feel-good ending. And in case you’re wondering, I haven’t stolen the plot for my latest book. I would have done, but I  already used it in Last Christmas…!

Thank you Julia for sharing your favourite Christmas movies with us - I hope the GiFs are OK?!
I feel it's only right that I end this blog post by sharing one of my favourite's with you -  remember to let us know your's in the comments below!!

Jack Frost

I will warn you now that tissues are required for this one.
Jack Frost is more dedicated to his band than his son Charlie, and is forever breaking promises. When he dies in a car crash, he returns as a snowman to put things right between him and his family before leaving them forever.

Blog Tour ~ Review | Miracle on 5th Avenue (From Manhattan With Love, #3) ~ Sarah Morgan

Miracle on 5th Avenue - 

From Manhattan With Love #3

Sarah Morgan

HQ

October 2016

Rating: 5/5

Amazon

               

Hopeless romantic Eva Jordan loves everything about Christmas. Even if she is spending it alone housesitting a spectacular Fifth Avenue apartment. What she didn’t expect was to find the penthouse still occupied by its gorgeous–and mysterious–owner.

Bestselling crime writer Lucas Blade is having the nightmare before Christmas. With a deadline and the anniversary of his wife’s death looming, he’s isolated himself in his penthouse with only his grief for company. But when the blizzard of the century leaves Eva snowbound in his apartment, Lucas starts to open up to the magic she brings…This Christmas, is Lucas finally ready to trust that happily-ever-afters do exist?

               

I cannot tell you how eager I have been to read Eva's story since I was approved a NetGalley copy - Thank you Cara! - however I purposely put off reading until I knew I had a completely free day to delve in and delve in is what I did.

As with Paige's story in Sleepless in Manhattan and Frankie's in Sunset Over Central Park, I completely devoured Miracle on 5th Avenue in one sitting - who needs to eat or drink anyway, right?!

From Manhattan With Love is the first books I have read from Sarah Morgan, to say she's now a firm favourite author would be an understatement - although I'm not sure I will ever catch up with her back catalogue ;-)

As I said, I was very much looking forward to reading Miracle on 5th Avenue but knowing the little about Eva we did from the first two books, I was a little apprehensive that the book would be a little too romantic - you know how you really fancy an indulgent hot chocolate and then after realise you shouldn't have had the marshmallows and cream? I guess I was a little concerned that the novel would be too over indulgent on Eva's hopeless romantic side and happy ever after as sometimes you can have a too much of a good thing....

I was completely wrong!

Miracle on 5th Avenue was completely different to Sleepless in Manhattan and Sunset Over Central Park, in the fact that it featured Eva and Lucas and very little of the other characters, although there where references to Paige and Frankie, and their company Urban Genie - which is doing fabulously!

Eva has been hired by one of the companies regular clients, Mitzy, with the task to decorate her grandson's 5th Ave apartment for the holiday season and to stock pile his freezer, whilst he is away in Vermont writing his next crime novel.

Only Lucas isn't in Vermont.

He's hiding out in his apartment and isn't overly impressed with Eva's arrival.

Despite Eva's love for sunshine, happiness, good food and unicorns, I felt she really came into her own in this book. She had a fiesty side which I wasn't expecting - telling Lucas exactly how it is and not beating around the bush!

This side of Eva intrigues Lucas and suddenly he starts to have an idea about characters and plots for his new crime book - one in which he is supposed to have completed in time for Christmas yet has nothing penned to paper.

I'm not really a crime book fan but having the odd reference to murder and blood to tie in with Lucas' occupation, really worked well and gave a great balance to the story.

As the book progresses, Eva starts to open up about how the loss of her Grandmother has effected her, Lucas has an equally sad story to tell and its clear that they both bring out the best in each other.

Miracle on 5th Avenue is full of wonderful dialogue containing lots of raw and honest emotion and banter - the sexual tension between these two literally oozed off the pages!

The book wasn't all smelling of roses - there's lots of moments when the pair are against each other, particularly when they start to get close but Lucas backs away refusing to love again - even towards the end as the last few pages were turned, I had to question whether Eva would get the happy outcome we all know she craves and deserves.

Miracle on 5th Avenue is a delightful story about falling in love and taking chances, and even though Paige and Frankie play a small part in this book, the fundamental statement of good friendship shines through when it's needed.

I've loved discovering Sarah Morgan with this From Manhattan With Love series, and am over the moon to discover that Sarah is writing a further three books set here - I do hope though that this gorgeous trio of character friends aren't forgotten and make some cameos as I feel there's much more to their stories.

             

Review | Christmas Under A Starlit Sky (A Town Called Christma, Book 2) ~ Holly Martin

Christmas Under A Starlit Sky -

A Town Called Christmas, Book 2

Holly Martin

Bookouture

October 2016

Rating 5/5

Amazon UK | Amazon US

               

Step inside a beautiful winter wonderland where love, laughter and cosy nights by the fire will make this Christmas one to remember. 

Neve Whitaker loves managing the Stardust Lake hotel. She gets to work alongside her wonderful family and she’s spending Christmas on the most enchanting, snow-covered island in Scotland. So why is her heart so heavy this festive season? 

It might have something to do with the gorgeous actor Oakley Rey, the man she finished with before he left for California and the man she loves more than anything. With Oakley’s career in Hollywood soaring, Neve is convinced she’d only hold him back. She had to end it with him – at least that’s what she keeps telling herself. 

But now she has a secret she’s struggling to keep, and when Oakley arrives on Juniper Island determined to win her back, Neve is thrown off balance. Will Neve’s fear of having her heart broken again push Oakley away for good, or is it time for her to take a leap of faith? 

Get swept away by this deliciously sweet and heartwarming tale, and spend an unforgettable Christmas on Juniper Island. 

              

Its no secret that Holly Martin has become one of my favourite authors - you only have to read my recent review of the first book in this A Town Called Christmas series, Christmas Under A Cranberry Sky, in which you can access here - to know that I've fallen for Holly's festive fictional world.

With its colourful Northern Lights, glistening snow, cosy wooden lodges and a wonderful cast of characters, it's no wonder that Holly Martin is having the success she's getting as I truly feel that her books are pure escapism for us romance genre lovers.

Although Christmas Under A Starlit Sky is the second book from the series, it can completely be read as a standalone novel - although if you were to take my advise, I would read Cranberry Sky first as for me it gives you a better understanding of Juniper Island and works well as a nice intro to the books.

Whereas in the first book the focus was primarily on one relationship - Gabe and Pip, with Christmas Under A Starlit Sky we are treated to two relationships - both cleverly crafted to entwine to make one complete story.

Christmas Under A Starlit Sky has four main characters - Neve, Oakley, Adam and Ivy - although there are plenty of references to the characters featured in Cranberry too.

Neve and Oakley's story is the main thread here but I adored reading Adam and Ivy's alongside. Neve is the manager of the Stardust Lake Hotel and has recently split up with her movie star boyfriend Oakley. When he suddenly arrives on Juniper Island just prior to Christmas, Neve is completely confused as to his feelings for her and their future together, especially when he blows hot and cold in reaction to a secret she has been keeping from him. This on/off chemistry between the pair really kept the book interesting and the pages turning with its twist and turns.

Adam has been brought to Juniper Island by Gabe to work as assistant manager with Neve gets the hotel up and running and to help guide it through their first Christmas and New Year period.

Adam comes with his own heartbreak but throws himself into his new role of which is not short of challenges, and one of them first challenges is to locate Ivy Storm, one of the local villagers that has gone missing.

From the moment Adam finds Ivy and discovers that she's not the elderly lady her name suggest, you can feel their chemistry jumping from the pages - as I read on I was left wondering if their broken hearts could be mended and if they could learn to trust each other in order to be happy.

Christmas Under A Starlit Sky is a story full of hopes and dreams, love and romance and of course that festive warmth you want from a Christmas story, so grab yourself a hot chocolate (marshmallows a must!), a snuggly blanket and curl up with what is my favourite novel of the season so far!

            

Review | All I Want For Christmas ~ Jenny Hale

All I Want For Christmas

Jenny Hale

Bookouture

October 2016

Rating 4/5

Amazon UK | Amazon US

              

Christmas comes once a year . . . But true love comes once in a lifetime. 

Snowflakes are falling, there’s carol singing on every corner, and Leah Evans is preparing for a family Christmas at her grandmother’s majestic plantation house in Virginia. It won’t be the same now that her beloved Nan is gone, but when Leah discovers she has inherited the mansion, she knows she can give her daughter Sadie the childhood of her dreams. 

But there’s a catch. Leah must split the house with a man called David Forester. Leah hasn’t heard that name in a long time. Not since they were kids, when Davey was always there to catch her. 

Now David is all grown up. He’s gorgeous, successful, and certain of one thing: Leah should sell him her half of the house. 

They can’t agree, but as they share memories over wine by the log fire, Leah notices a fluttering in her stomach. And by the look in his eyes, he’s starting to feel it too. 

Will it be Leah or David who must give up their dreams? Or, with a little bit of Christmas magic, will they finally understand Nan’s advice to them both about living life without regrets … and take a chance on true love?

              

There is no question that Jenny Hale knows how to write those kind books that make you grin and make you cry but overall leaves you feeling warm and contented as you you turn the pages.

All I Want For Christmas is no exception, Here Jenny treats us to a warm and humbling story about love, life and friendship.

We are introduced to Leah Evans and her young daughter Sadie in the run up to Christmas. The relationship between these two characters is adorable right from the outset and it is clearly obvious that the recent passing of Leah's Nan is playing on their minds as they prepare to head back to Evergreen Hills - the old plantation that Nan transformed in to a glorious family home.

The house is also set to be a massive part of Leah and Sadie's future as they had always planned to move and live there and carry on opening the plantation up to host events and weddings just as Nan had. Sadie's passion is gymnastics and there is also an amazing school to teach this near by.

However, their well thought future gets turned upside down when Leah receives a letter stating that Nan had changed her Will prior to her passing and that the house was to be split between Leah and David Forester.

Leah and David knew each other when they kids - Leah looked up to him and he looked after her but David and his family moved away and Leah hadn't thought much of him since.

Now they are faced with the prospect of being joint home owners.

Everything Leah has worked and planned for is destroyed when David says he wants to buy her out - over the coming chapters little things remind Leah of Nan and the memories that had at the plantation. All the while she is building up a way to tell Sadie they aren't moving, and trying to hold back the feelings she's starting to have for David.

Alongside all of this there is a really strong and powerful element of friendship in the form of Leah's two friends Roz and Louise and their children Jo and Ethan respectively. The Girls as they are affectionately known have been there as a little trio through thick and thin and they are Leah's rock when it comes to making a decision on Evergreen Hills.

Although there is a small romantic element between Leah and David in this book - and Jenny is brilliant at her romantic stories - this book has much more to it. There is a deep line of moving on past grief and the importance of living life with no regrets. There is also a mysterious element as we learn quite early on that Nan sent a letter to someone named Samuel but we had to keep guessing until much later on.

For me personally though, I felt that the relationship between Leah and David could have panned out a little better. They seemed to go from friends to something more without much in the middle and I missed they way Jenny usually writes making her characters flirt and fall in love.

Overall though, I really enjoyed All I Want For Christmas - it was humbling, warm and cozy and had plenty of festive links and lots of snow!