Feature | Goodbye April ~ Hello May

Goodness, these weeks are flying by! I can't believe I'm on my second Goodbye ~

Hello post already.

To recap, this is wrap up post of the month just gone and a look at what I have coming up in the next month.

April has been a busy month personally, but book and blog wise I posted six reviews along with various My Book Corner features and a whole bunch of cover reveals and guest posts for blog tours.

Here are the books I've reviewed, please click on the images to read.

March saw Lozza's Book Corner take part in six blog tours covering a mixture of reviews, guest posts and Q&A's. I would also again like to thank Tracey Sinclair, Helena Sheffield, Laurie Ellingham, Victoria Walters and Isabelle Broom for taking part in the My Book Corner feature.

This feature has really taken off in the last month, as I put a pinned tweet up and I'm now scheduled up until the beginning of August with a host of bloggers and authors taking part!

It's been a good month for receiving books too. 

Thanks to some amazing publishers my TBR is never ending and the new titles added are:

eBooks

The Summer We Danced -Fiona Harper

An Autumn Affair & A Summer of Secrets - Both by Alice Ross

The Summer Flings Travel Club - Aimee Duffy

Something Old, Something New - Darcie Boleyn

Summer at the Cornish Cafe - Phillipa Ashley

The Secret of Orchard Cottage - Alex Brown

Cupcakes and Confetti - Jane Linfoot

Paperbacks

The Assistants - Camille Perri

Martini Henry - Sara Crow

Mad Girl -Bryony Gordon

And finally, March saw the blog have a little makeover. 

I'm one of these that are never happy until it's just right and can now say that I love the new header, ratings image and signature to sign my post's off with. I now just need to decide whether to keep the floral background or revert to one that's not so busy - please let me know your thoughts as you are the ones that read the blog after all!

Moving on to the month ahead then..

As a general rule, I love May. I love seeing the blossom on the blossom on the trees and the feeling that the weather is starting to get warmer, but it's also a bitter sweet month for me too.

It's my birthday month and my late Nan's birthday is the day after mine. We always used to have lunch together and then enjoy tea and cake - she was the only other person I knew that put the milk in first and had her tea milky so it was out treat to have together without the rest of the family passing comment!

I'm not sure what I am doing for my actual birthday yet (other than working...boo!) but I am hoping to go away the weekend after to spend some time with my nieces and nephew.

I've kept the diary fairly empty for this month. I'm on a few blog tours and have a couple of cover reveals planned but I'm concentrating on attacking the TBR throughout May.

As well as the books mentioned in the above TBR list, the following three are right at the top!

The One We Fell In Love With - Paige Toon

Always With Love - Giovanna Fletcher

Lovers and Liars - Nigel May

Wishing you all a fabulous month of reading!

Review | Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe ~ Debbie Johnson

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The brand new book from best-selling author Debbie Johnson will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you raid the pantry in the middle of the night…

The Comfort Food Cafe is perched on a windswept clifftop at what feels like the edge of the world, serving up the most delicious cream teas; beautifully baked breads, and carefully crafted cupcakes. For tourists and locals alike, the ramshackle cafe overlooking the beach is a beacon of laughter, companionship, and security – a place like no other; a place that offers friendship as a daily special, and where a hearty welcome is always on the menu.

For widowed mum-of-two Laura Walker, the decision to uproot her teenage children and make the trek from Manchester to Dorset for the summer isn’t one she takes lightly, and it’s certainly not winning her any awards from her kids, Nate and Lizzie. Even her own parents think she’s gone mad.

But following the death of her beloved husband David two years earlier, Laura knows that it’s time to move on. To find a way to live without him, instead of just surviving. To find her new place in the world, and to fill the gap that he’s left in all their lives.

Her new job at the cafe, and the hilarious people she meets there, give Laura the chance she needs to make new friends; to learn to be herself again, and – just possibly – to learn to love again as well.

For her, the Comfort Food Cafe doesn’t just serve food – it serves a second chance to live her life to the full…

I'm a big fan of Debbie Johnson since reading her previous Christmas books, I have some of her other novels in my ever growing TBR, which I am sure I will get around to reading when the bundle stops growing! That said, when I was offered and advanced copy of Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe, I didn't hesitate - the cover firstly is super inviting and just looks like a good read in general.

And a good read it was. Right from the opening page I was hooked - when you read the book you will understand just why I have seen people talking about such a powerful opening. I obviously won't give all the details away but it starts with an advert from Cherie Moon, owner of the Comfort Food Cafe, seeking a member of staff for the summer and asking for them not to submit a CV but a letter explaining why they should be considered. We are immediately then introduced to Laura Walker in a very heart felt but very honest letter to Cherie explaining about herself being stuck in a rut since the death of her husband, David, a couple of years before hand, about her two teenage children, Lizzie and Nate, and their need for a summer get away - a chance to breath in a change of scenery, a chance to start a new chapter in their lives, a chance to move forward.

Now I know I have probably sold that as a really depressing read but believe me it was far from it. Yes there were moments where I welled up - especially when Lizzie and Nate were talking about their late Father as I was just a teenager myself when I lost my dear Daddy, but the majority of the book was full of Debbie's warmth and humour making this a more light hearted and uplifting read.

Laura isn't expecting to actually get the job at the Comfort Food Cafe, so when directions and keys arrive in the post she is a little shocked, but goes through with her plan of having a summer holiday, albeit a working one for her. 

The job at the Comfort Food Cafe is for six weeks and so throughout the book there is a sub-paragraph that states 'Week Three' for example and gives a short synopsis but the chapters surrounding those little snippets are packed full with information.

Over the course of the book we see a great transformation in Laura. At the beginning she is very much still a grieving widow kissing a photograph of her late husband every night and still sleeping with his dressing gown, towards the end Laura has come out of her shell and is not only warm and caring and thinking of others and their happiness, but she is also stronger and able to make decisions as well as having much more self confidence.

I have to mention Matt here. Matt the Vet. Laura, Lizzie and Nate met Matt on their very first night arriving at the Rookery, the place they are staying which comes with the job. There is something very obviously between Laura and Matt that just clicks, and over the course of them getting to know each other, we learn that Matt is healing a broken heart of some description too. Laura has to remind herself that whilst it is fun, she is only in Devon for the summer and despite discovering feelings for a man she never thought she would ever have again, she has to protect her heart - even when Matt declares his feelings Laura is determined not to go there... but in realality I think it's safe to say her feelings have already headed in that direction!

Debbie Johnson has a fabulous way of creating characters. I loved all of them in this book to be honest. Each of them all had their own back ground story that left them all feeling sad or lonely and seeking comfort from the cafe, and as Laura get's to know them and their past's, she also learns to trust and have friends - really heart warming but as ever, in the comical way that Debbie does brilliantly.

I felt a particular soft spot for Lizzie and Nate though, maybe due to knowing how they felt as previously mentioned, but also because Debbie got their teenage charisma's spot on. Lizzie was the moody teenage who hated her mum for making her up root and leave her friends. She also a typical teenager in relying on her phone - her main passion being photography and so the book felt very currant and relevant mentioning the likes of Instagram. Nate is at the age where she still loves a hug from his mum, but he's too cool to do it in public! Lizzie was the more outspoken child with Nate often just nodding in agreement, but once or twice he could come out with a sentence or two that made he seem so mucb more older than what he was - and just went to prove that kids are very receptable to what is going on around them and making observations.

Overall, Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe was simply delicious. Full of humour, warmth and new beginnings. It was also very poignant with the photo's Lizzie has been taking constantly - but you seriously are going to have to read the book to find out why!

I've seen many people tweet saying that they would love to go to the Comfort Food Cafe - the food and the views out to sea are all very idyllic that you can't not want to go and spend time with the wonderful and quirky members of area - this just leaves me to say that I'm sure there are more stories to be told from the Comfort Food Cafe, I'd love to know how Laura, Matt, Lizzie and Nate are getting on in a few months time.

Fingers crossed for 'Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe'.... 

Rating 5/5

I would like to thank HarperImpulse for a proof copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

Review + Giveaway: Never Kiss A Man In A Christmas Jumper by Debbie Johnson

Today I don't only have a review for you but there is also a chance to win a paperback copy of the book- be quick though, the flash giveaway ends in 24hours!

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You’ve seen Mark Darcy in the reindeer jumper his mother gave him, now meet Marco Cavelli in this season’s hottest Christmas knit!

For single mum Maggie, Christmas has always been a family occasion – her daughter Ellen filling the house with her bubbly warmth and mistletoe, her dad Paddy having one too many festive tipples, and the traditional family Christmas tree looking like a drunken elf vomited a rainbow all over it.

But this year, with both Ellen and Paddy away for the holidays, Maggie’s facing a truly blue Christmas – alone with nothing but a bottle of Baileys and an M&S turkey dinner.

Until walking the snowy streets of Oxford, Marco Cavelli quite literally crashes into her life – and, complete with broken leg, becomes her unexpected house-guest. All dreamy brown eyes and 6’5” of gorgeousness, the man is hotter and more delicious than a freshly baked mince pie.

Though Maggie always thought it’s a truth universally acknowledged that you never kiss a man in a Christmas jumper?

The thing that first caught my eye with this book was the adorable cover and catchy title - it had me instantly intrigued and I started reading even before looking at the blurb.

It wasn't far in to the book, when I clocked the Cavelli name - Rob Cavelli was the hunk in last year's Christmas novel from Debbie Johnson, Cold Feet At Christmas; A book that I have sat on my kindle and a book that I was sure I still had to read... As this book's story unfolded and it touched lightly on Cold Feet At Christmas bits and pieces were forming in my head confirming that I had already read it.

I quickly abandoned Never Kiss A Man In A Christmas Jumper and hopped back to read Cold Feet At Christmas and write a review of which you can read here.

Back to Never Kiss A Man In A Christmas Jumper then...

I loved this book. It was gloriously romantic and set at Christmas time which if you are a sucker for the both like I am, then it equates to a pretty perfect story.

Maggie first comes across Marco Cavelli during a run with her daughter, Ellen, where he is at the park with his nephew Luca and s being drooled over by the other mothers!

Their second encounter. albeit their first with communication, comes when Marco is looking for a suit to be tailored and walks into Maggie's Shop where she is a Bridal Gown designer and maker.

Not expecting to bump into Marco again, Maggie quite literally does that when they collide on slippery road surfaces and both crash off their bikes. Marco comes off worse than Maggie but they both end up at the local hospital. It is here that Maggie starts chatting to Marco's brother and Sister in law, Rob and Leah from Cold Feet at Christmas, and i have to admit it was nice to see how their lives have continued from that book. Maggie and Leah appear to form a quick and strong friendship which over the course of the next chapter or so, results in Maggie somehow agreeing to Leah and Rob's request of having Marco live with her to recoup!

As the story unfolds, it is clear that both Maggie and Marco are falling for each other, yet Maggie is scared of unknown territory - she's only ever been with one man before, and that was a one night stand when she was a teenager resulting in her becoming a single mother to Ellen.

Never Kiss A Man In A Christmas Jumper is a delightful read about feelings and facing your fears, Maggie is convinced it wont work with Marco as she can no longer have children, something she has blocked from anyone for years.

The book was a quick read, with a fast pacing story. The epilogue was a joy to read and wrapped up the book nicely.

Although Never Kiss A Man In A Christmas Jumper can be read as a stand alone book, at points Rob and Leah's story is covered, I would recommend reading Cold Feet At Christmas first if you are planning too as it might be a little weird reading how they got together after already being together in Marco and Maggie's story.

Maggie was a great, caring character but I loved Ellen and her short one liners - she was a little breath of fresh air in amongst the love and romance.... and of course Marco is just what you need at this time of year - tall, dark, handsome!

I have reviewed Never Kiss A Man In A Christmas Jumper as part of the HarperCollins #HarperXmas event - for more reviews, posts and giveaways please search the hashtag!
I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for my review copy, this has been my honest opinion.

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Never Kiss A Man In A Christmas Jumper

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Review: Cold Feet at Christmas by Debbie Johnson

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Running out on your wedding shouldn't be this much fun!

A remote Scottish castle on a snowy Christmas Eve. A handsome husband-to-be. A dress to die for. It should have been the happiest day of Leah Harvey’s life – but the fairytale wedding turns sour when she finds her fiancé halfway up the bridesmaid’s skirt just hours before the ceremony!

Fleeing the scene in a blizzard, Leah ends up stranded at the nearest cottage, where she collapses into the arms of its inhabitant – a man so handsome she thinks she must have died and gone to heaven!

And when Rob Cavelli suddenly finds himself with an armful of soaking wet, freezing cold, and absolutely gorgeous bride on the run, he’s more than happy to welcome her into his snowbound cottage this Christmas…

I've had Cold Feet At Christmas on my kindle for ages and could have sworn that I hadnt read it, however, whilst reading the latest novel from Debbie Johnson, Never Kiss A Man In A Christmas Jumper, there were parts relating to this book that triggered memories of me reading it. And whilst I knew the vague storyline, I quickly abandoned Never Kiss A Man In A Christmas Jumper and re-read Cold Feet At Christmas.

Cold Feet At Christmas starts with Leah Harvey's car breaking down, she's in the middle of nowhere and the car just will not start - not that Leah has a plan on where she is heading anyway.

Just hours ago she should have been saying I Do at her wedding to Doug, however just prior to the ceremony she caught her Groom-To-Be in a rather compromising position with one of the bridesmaids - grabbing bare essentials, Leah fled with no plan.

In the far distance from the broken down car, and across a very heavy snow covered field there is a glimmer of light and Leah heads that way - realising it is a remote cottage she prays that someone be home or she might just die of hypothermia! 

When Rob Cavelli opens the door to a snow covered bride, quite literally, he wonders is his mother has magically sent an angel to him for Christmas in a bid to coax him out of his mundane life - a life of all work and one night stand play, not a life not really being lived since the death of his wife and unborn baby.

Being snowed in to the cottage, Leah ends up having to stay with Rob and they agree to have a no strings attached week full of amazing sex and passion. When it comes to the end of their stay, Rob invites Leah back to America with him, offering her a place to stay and a job to help get her life back in order - but on a strictly friendship basis only.

Trouble is, as time goes on, Leah has fallen for Rob and secretly Rob is heading the same way for her.

Yet both of them have a guilty that is eating them up and stopping them from being really happy.

Its only when Leah is forced out of the country and heads back to the UK that Rob completely loses it and admits to his mother and brother Marco (who coincidently is the main male character in Never Kiss a Man In A Christmas Jumper, in which you can read here!) that he is in love with her.

Cold Feet At Christmas was a great story about new beginnings and taking chances, from the moment Leah and Rob met you could feel their sexual chemistry and the explicit scenes were tastefully written. There was also the flip side of the story, both characters are carrying guilt for loved ones and whilst Leah seems to being trying to move on and live, Rob is stuck in a rut, blaming himself and believing that he doesn't deserve that second chance of happiness.

Although you can read both Cold Feet At Christmas and Never Kiss A Man In A Christmas Jumper as standalone novels, if you wanted to read both then I would definitely read this one first as the second will make a little more sense - however both books were equally good and in my opinion you can never have too much of the Cavelli men!

I have re-read Cold Feet At Christmas to coincide with the #HarperXmas event on twitter, plus it gave me the chance to review it. For more reviews, features and give-aways please search the hash-tag.