Christmas With Cathy Bramley

Hello everyone! Last Christmas I hosted a new festive feature "Christmas With..." and it was so popular that I decided to bring it back again in 2016. Once again it's time to get into the Christmas spirit by snuggling up with some Christmassy reads so I am inviting some lovely authors who have Christmas books out this year to come on the blog and have a little chat with us about all things festive!

Today I have Cathy Bramley on the blog talking about her new Christmas novella Comfort & Joy and how she celebrates Christmastime. So grab a hot chocolate, turn on your Christmas playlist and spend Christmas with Cathy Bramley...

1.) What made you decide to return to the Plumberry School of Comfort Food at Christmas? 
I love all the locations of all my books, but there is something about the village of Plumberry and the cookery school that has really stuck with me. The chance to go back and see how all the characters spent their Christmas was too good an opportunity to miss!

2.) How did you get into the festive spirit to write? 
Ha, good question! The weeks I chose to write this book were the hottest we'd seen in England for years! I made a Christmas playlist on Spotify and played it in my office, in the car and even when I was cooking to get in the mood!

3.) If you could spend Christmas with your characters what would you get up to? 
I'd get Tom cooking the dinner, Mags mixing up one of her cocktails and I'd sit down by the fire with Verity for a good old chat!

4.) Which festive food would you most like Verity to whip up for you?
Mince pies! I love mince pies but mine always burst and the mincemeat always bubbles over the lid. Perhaps I'm adding too much brandy to the mix...?

5.) What’s your favourite thing about Christmastime? 
Oh gosh, can I only choose one thing? Okay, well I'd have to say getting together with my family on Christmas Eve, when all the shopping and wrapping has been done and we know we've got a lovely day to look forward to together.

6.) Favourite Christmas movie?
The Holiday. I could honestly watch this on a loop. I love everything about it (except Jack Black - wrong choice)

7.) Favourite Christmas song? 
It used to be 'Last Christmas' by Wham! Now I like to cry buckets at 'Wherever you Are' by the Military Wives Choir

8.) What does Christmas mean to you? 
For me it's a family time, a chance to switch off from normal life and relax and have fun together. I can't wait...

 Comfort & Joy is available to buy as an e-book now.

 Add Comfort & Joy on Goodreads here

 Follow Cathy on Twitter @CathyBramley

Review for Comfort and Joy by Cathy Bramley

Comfort and Joy by Cathy Bramley 
Publisher: Transworld
Release: October 13th 2016 (ebook only)
Genre: Chick lit, Women's Fiction, Christmas
Source: Copy received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review



Synopsis:

"It’s been a busy year for Verity Bloom at the Plumberry School of Comfort Food, but Christmas Eve is finally here. With delicious treats all wrapped up and the ingredients packed away, Verity is looking forward to a relaxing few days with her new boyfriend.

Good food, family and friends – it’s a simple recipe for true comfort and joy, and all Verity’s friends in the village are full of excitement about the holidays too.

But the weather has other plans in store… Relentless rain leads to a power cut that spells disaster for many of Plumberry’s residents. It’s starting to look like this year’s celebrations could be a total washout.

With dreams of a perfect Christmas dashed, will the last of the festive cheer be swept away in the downpour? Or can the cookery school create a Christmas miracle for everyone Verity holds dear?"

Review 
I make it a rule to not read any Christmas stories before November but I could not resist diving into Cathy Bramley's festive little number in October!

Comfort and Joy is a Christmas short story featuring the cast from The Plumberry School of Comfort Food a book that I read and loved earlier this year. It was so lovely to catch up with all of my favourite characters and find out where life has taken them since we parted ways.

Our main character Verity Bloom is looking forward to taking a break from the Plumberry School of Comfort Food over the holidays and spending Christmas day snuggled inside with her new boyfriend Tom. But it seems like the weather has other ideas as heavy rain lashes down leading to flooding and power cuts, meaning that for the residents of Plumberry, Christmas is canceled. Can Verity and the Plumberry School of Comfort Food save the day and bring Christmas to an entire village?

I loved every moment reading this book, I wasn't expecting to feel Christmassy so early into the season but this book put me in the festive spirit! I loved the sense of community, kindness and sharing that is explored in this story, all essential ingredients in the true meaning of Christmas. 

Comfort and Joy does exactly what it says on the packaging, whether you're in the mood for Christmas yet or not Cathy Bramley's short story will make you feel cosy and happy bringing a smile to even the most hardened of Scrooges faces.

The Twelve Books of Christmas

November 6th may be early to start thinking about Christmas for some people, but as a book blogger I've been receiving lots of Christmas books for review over the last few weeks and I find that if I don't start reading and reviewing them as soon as November 1st hits I'd never get through them all before Christmas!

I think that more Christmas books have been released this year than ever before and so for today's post I decided to share with you the twelve books on my TBR that I'm the most excited to read this Christmas for anybody looking for some festive reads to add to their reading piles.

Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin 

So, I'm cheating a little bit by including this one because I'm currently reading it but I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far and I'm looking forward to reading the rest, so it counts! This book made me laugh out loud and gave me the warm fuzzies when I was only 10% in on my Kindle. The characters are so warm and likeable and I love the town of White Cliff Bay. This is a feel-good Christmas romance about a woman called Penny who rents her annex out to a man and his daughter over the Christmas period, and of course with a dash of Chirstmas magic love is in the air! I think this'll be perfect for anyone looking for a festive romance. There's also a second book set in the same town that's out now 'Snowflakes on Silver Cove' that you can jump into after!

One Wish in Manhattan by Mandy Baggot 

This one has been getting some wonderful reviews from my blogger friends already so I'm very excited to read it! This festive treat is set in New York as Hayley takes her daughter to try and find her dad. I've always wanted to visit New York at Christmas and sadly it hasn't happened for me yet so I'm looking forward to going on horse-drawn carriage rides through central park with Hayley and her daughter this Christmas instead!

Make A Christmas Wish by Julia Williams 

If the cute, festive romances mentioned above aren't for you and you'd like something a little more sentimental then Make a Christmas Wish could be perfect for you. This reminds me of a book I read and loved called 'The Dead Wife's Handbook' which makes it very appealing to me. This story follows Livvy who died last Christmas, in the months since her death she's floated on the edge of the afterlife because she's not ready to leave her son and husband behind just yet. This Christmas she's been given one last magical chance to put things right for her family before leaving them for good. This sounds like the kind of book that will make me cry and hold on to my loved ones a little bit tighter this Christmas.

Every Time a Bell Rings by Carmel Harrington 

Don't put the tissues away just yet! I have another Christmas weepy here! Every Time a Bell Rings is inspired by the Christmas movie classic 'It's a Wonderful Life' and follows a similar theme. Belle and her partner Jim are foster parents and although they're not supposed to they've grown particularly attached to little Lauren who's now ready to go back to her mother. Unable to cope Belle finds herself standing on The Ha’Penny Bridge and wishes she'd never been born. But little does she know an angel is listening whose ready to show her that life is for the living. This is a must read for anyone who loves 'It's a Wonderful Life' and is looking for a little magic this Christmas!

Lily and the Christmas Wish by Keris Stainton 

I love Keris' YA books and was really excited when I heard that she had written a Christmas book for children. The book itself sounds very sweet - the little town of Pinewood are celebrating Christmas this year by putting up a Christmas tree and asking all of the town's people to hang a Christmas wish on the branches. But after a storm blows in the wishes get granted but mixed up! Lily, her brother and her pug must sort out the wishes or else nobody in her little town will get what they want for Christmas this year. I'm planning on getting this for my seven year old cousin for Christmas and it sounds so sweet that I'm going to have to get a copy for myself too!

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig 

So when Stephen Fry blurbs a book saying "Matt Haig has written the most evergreen, immortal Christmas story to be published for decades" you better believe that I'm going to want to read it! This is another children's book although this is aimed for the middle grade market. I really don't know much about it other than it's beautifully illustrated by Chris Mould and is about a boy who isn't afraid to believe in magic. I think this will be a brilliant book for anyone, of any age and did I mention it is blurbed by Stephen Fry? BECAUSE IT IS!

All Wrapped Up by Holly Smale 

Moving on up to YA books, this Christmas we have a Geek Girl special from Holly Smale. This is a Geek Girl short Christmas story that takes place between books one and two. I love Harriet Manners and can't wait to spend Christmas with her and her friends and family. This is one of the only YA releases I could find that is out this year which I think is a real shame. I'd love to see more Christmas YA on the shelves but in the meantime I will be cherishing this one!

A Wedding at Christmas by Chrissie Manby 

Another family that I can't wait to spend Christmas with this year is the Benson's! This is the fourth book in the 'Proper Family' series and I can't wait to catch up with this lovable family that after four books I've grown very attached to! I won't say too much about this one as it's part of a series, other than to say that I'm very much looking forward to attending a certain couples wedding!

The Winter Wedding by Abby Clements 

If you're in the mood to attend a white wedding this Christmas but haven't read the 'Proper Family' series then look no further than standalone The Winter Wedding! I love Abby's books and her debut 'Meet Me Under the Mistletoe' is one of my all-time favourite Christmas reads so I'm very excited for another winter book from her. This is about a wedding planner who dreams of finding her own happy ending this winter all whilst juggling the stress of planning two very different weddings!

A Christmas Tail by Cressida McLaughlin 

This sounds like such a me book as it's about two of my favourite things dogs and Christmas! This is a bind up of the four Primrose Terrace novellas. This series follows Cat - Primrose Terrace's dog walker and ends with the final story taking place at Christmas. If you love dogs this sounds like the perfect read for curling up on the couch with your dog at your side this Christmas.

The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Lisa Dickenson 

This is another bind-up of books that was first released as short novellas. It's one of the first Christmas books I heard about and got excited for this year. After breaking up from her long-term boyfriend Claudia suddenly finds herself spending Christmas alone and so she decides to embark on a new adventure and have twelve dates before Christmas to discover who she is and what she wants in life and love.

The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin 

I've wanted to read Rebecca Raisin's books for a while and when I first heard about The Little Bookshop on the Seine - the first book in her new trilogy - I knew this was where I had to start! This book features books, Paris and Christmas. Seriously, what more could you want from a book? The story is about bookshop owner Sarah who decides to exchange bookshops with her Parisian friend for six months. Needless to say I'm very excited to follow Sarah's bookish adventures in Paris over Christmastime! 

 So those are the twelve books that I'm the most excited to read during the build up to Christmas this year. Hopefully I've added a little something for everyone and there is something here that you like the look of. 

Keep your eye on the blog for plenty of festive reviews and posts in the upcoming weeks!

Review for Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch 
Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Release: 14th October 2014
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: Received for review via Edelweiss




Synopsis

"Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. The Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been searching for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild their kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, Winter’s future king—she would do anything to help Winter rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of half of the ancient locket that can restore their magic, Meira decides to go after it herself—only to find herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics, and to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own."

Review 
In Sara Raasch’s YA fantasy world the kingdoms are split into seasons each with a royal bloodline where either male or female heirs can harness a unique kind of magic that affects only their people and acts as an amplifier to increase things like loyalty, health and business across their kingdom. The kingdom of Winter has been overthrown by the King of Spring and with their magic lost so is all hope.

Snow Like Ashes follows Meira one of the last Winterians who is trying to find where she belongs in the world with no place to call home. She’s a warrior and wants nothing more than to fight for what’s left of her kingdom but Winter’s general has other plans for her and how she can best help restore Winter’s former glory. Meira constantly struggles with what she wants versus what would best help repair her land. Snow Like Ashes is a strong coming of age story about sacrifice for the greater good, community and finding both where and to who you belong in the world, taking place in a unique fantasy setting that sweeps you away into enticing adventure.

One of the many things I loved about this book was how it read like a complete story. I believe it’s the first in a new series but what starts in Snow Like Ashes ends in Snow Like Ashes. It read like a standalone which was so refreshing compared to those long drawn out plots that span over an entire series. There’s only a hint as to what could happen in the next book and I’m so excited to see where Sara Raasch takes us next.

Snow Like Ashes gave me everything I could want in a fantasy read with a strong cast of characters, unique and widely explored world building and shocking twists and turns. For me it is the best fantasy debut of the year and I’m hoping it gets a UK publishing deal because I want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to read this book! Snow Like Ashes is the one for YA fantasy fans.

Letterbox Love (42)

Letterbox Love is a meme hosted by Lynsey @ Narratively Speaking for UK based book bloggers to showcase the books that they’ve received each week.

Hi guys! I'm back with another book haul this week. I've got a really exciting mix here of books that I've bought and books that I've received for review including festive reads, 2015 proof copies and a couple of new releases. I hope you enjoy being nosy at what's new to my shelves and are having a brilliant weekend!

It's Not Me, It's You by Mhairi McFarlane (Proof Copy, For Review)
I've had the worst headache all weekend and I wanted something funny and feel-good to read so I decided to pick this one up. I'm a hundred pages in and really enjoying it! A lot of reviews have said that this is Mhairi's best book yet and from what I've read so far I completely agree! Here's hoping the rest of the book is just as brilliant.
A Proper Family Christmas by Chrissie Manby (For Review)
I read the first book in this series A Proper Family Holiday when I went on holiday in September and I could not put it down or stop giggling! I'm so excited to spend some time with the hilarious Bensons in the build up to Christmas!
The Christmas Party by Carole Matthews (Bought)
Carole Matthews is one of my favourite chick-lit authors and her last Christmas book Calling Mrs Christmas is quite possibly my favourite Christmas book of all time so I have high hopes for this one!
The Christmas Surprise by Jenny Colgan (Bought)
This is Jenny's third Rosie Hopkins' book and I'm really looking forward to catching up with Rosie and Stephen again soon.

The Walled City by Ryan Graudin (For Review)
I've been so excited about this book since I found out about it this Spring and now I finally have a copy to read and review! I'm on a blog tour for this book so I expect I'll be picking it up very soon.
The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig (Proof Copy, For Review)
If you haven't heard of The Fire Sermon yet then let me be the first to tell you that this is a 2015 release you want on your radar. The early reviews have been phenomenal and there is a lot of early hype in the blogosphere. I'm hoping to get to this in either December or January and I hope it lives up to my expectations!
Winterspell by Claire Legrand (Bought)
Winterspell is one of my most anticipated releases of 2014. Since I was a kid I've been spellbound with The Nutcracker. I've been to see the ballet a couple of times and have watched several film adaptations so when I found out that a dark YA re-telling was coming out can you imagine my excitement!? This has been praised by Marissa Meyer whose books I love so I really hope this one is as good as I want it to be.
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater (Bought)
I mean, we're all pretty excited for this one, right? I absolutely love The Raven Boys and Maggie's writing in general and will be reading this one hopefully in the next week or two.

   

The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alexandra Brown (E-book, Netgalley)
I haven't read any of Alexandra Brown's books yet but I know a lot of my blog friends love her Carrington's series. I believe that this is the first in a new series from this author and I am really excited to have it on my Christmas TBR.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (E-book, Netgalley)
This is another 2015 release that is getting a lot of early love. This is being pitched as the next big thriller with praise from Before I Go To Sleep author S J Watson blurbed on the cover. I have re-kindled my love for adult thrillers this year and am glad I have such an exciting book in the genre lined up for 2015.
Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell (E-Book, Netgalley)
This sounds like it could be Jill Mansell's most emotional book yet! It's definitely one of the chick-lit 2015 releases I'm most excited for. If you like emotional life affirming reads I urge you to check out the synopsis for this one.

 As always thank you to the lovely publishing folk for the review copies. If you decided to do a Letterbox Love, Book Haul, IMM, Showcase Sunday, Mailbox Monday or whatever else featuring the books you got this week leave me a link as I’d love to check out your books too! ^_^ 

 Happy reading till next time!

Review for On The Fence by Kasie West

On The Fence by Kasie West 
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release: 1st July 2014
Genre: Contemporary, YA, Summer
Source: Received for review via Edelweiss





Synopsis:

"She's a tomboy. He's the boy next door…

Charlie Reynolds can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world. To cope with the stress of her new reality, Charlie takes to spending nights chatting with her neighbor Braden through the fence between their yards. As she grows to depend on their nightly Fence Chats, she realizes she's got a bigger problem than speeding tickets-she's falling for Braden. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high."

Review 
When people think of Charlie Reynolds they see her as one of the guys. Growing up in a house with three older sports loving brothers, her dad, and the boy next door as her best friend it’s no wonder Charlie is a tomboy who loves nothing more than playing sports and goofing off with the five loving and protective men in her life. Charlie knows how to hang with the guys but when she gets a job at a clothing boutique and starts crushing on her best friend she’s thrown in at the deep end with no mom or girlfriends to help keep her afloat. On The Fence follows Charlie’s journey over one summer as she ventures into the unexplored territory of girlhood whilst trying to stay true to who she is.

One chapter in and I knew this was going to be the kind of contemporary summer story that I love to read. There’s a lovable and large close-knit family, a boy next door/ best friend, and a coming of age story looking at grief and being true to yourself. On The Fence was a sweet, quick, read that left me all smiley.

The relationships here had to be my favourite thing about this book. The goofy and teasing relationships that Charlie had with her brothers reminded me so much of the one that I have with my own brother. There’s also a really sweet slow burning romance between Charlie and boy next door Braden that is easy to get behind. They have these honest and meaningful midnight fence chats and you watch these two long term best friends blossom into something more as they share their secrets underneath the stars. Braden was the boy next door, brother’s best friend and boy you’ve know your whole life rolled into one which made for a really cute love interest.

Overall On The Fence is a sweet summer read that’s perfect for fans of ‘My Life Next Door’. It’s utterly feel good but there’s enough depth there to stop it from being fluffy. All in all? Perfect summer reading.