Secret Santa – by Scarlett Bailey

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

A self-confessed Christmas queen, Sue Montaigne prides herself on organising the annual nativity pageant in her small Cornish village of Poldore.

But this year, what with having to deal with the repairs on Castle House after it was wrecked by a terrible storm, training a new – and frankly flighty – Virgin Mary and managing a Joseph who is allergic to sheep, she is distinctly lacking a little bit of ‘me time’.

And then there are the auditions for the new Santa. But nothing prepares her for the beautiful man who turns up, a twinkle in his eye and a promise to make her Christmas dreams come true…

My Opinion:

Yay, we are back in Poldore! One of the most festive and sweet places, especially around Christmas. If you know Scarlett Bailey’s book, you know Alex, Ruan, Tamsyn and Jed and yes we get to read about them again! Alex and Ruan had some happy news and I couldn’t be more excited about that!

This story is about Sue Montaigne, a 40 years old mum, who is organising Poledore’s Christmas pageant. Her marriage is struggeling and she is very busy. She has to deal with all these roles and who is going to be Santa?!

Somehow it didn’t click with Sue, she’s nice, but I didn’t find a real connection to her.

The Secert Santa/Nick turns up, leaving Sue all confused, but also helping her to see her Christmas dreams… Nick added the right mystery to the story and I think it’s a wonderful way to help Sue see the light.

Hollywood actor Blake is in town over Christmas and he promises her his help with the Santa auditions. When he doesn’t turn up Sue is a bit disappointed, but then he asks her out…

The spark between them was obvious, so I was really curious, how it was going to develop. I liked Blake, he had a quietness and calmness around him and his small sweet gestures were perfect for the story.

A short little Christmas story, in a beautiful setting and with wonderful characters. I loved catching up with all of them and I really think Cordelia (Ruan’s and Tamsyn’s sister) needs her own story now! Scarlett’s writing is beautiful!

Rating:

My possible cast:

Sue: Holly Marie Combs

Blake: Jude Law

Scarlett on Twitter: @ScarlettBailey

Just for Christmas – by Scarlett Bailey

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

Her best friend's wedding...

When Alex Munro learns that the love of her life is getting married to another girl, all she wants is to be alone - and as far away from Edinburgh as possible.

Moving to a Cornish cottage, which comes complete with the world's scruffiest dog, Alex finds that her new neighbours are determined to involve her in their madcap Christmas festivities.

Then she meets her sexy neighbour Ruan - and somehow Alex doesn't want to be alone this Christmas after all. But having lost one fiancé, Ruan has no intention of letting anyone get close to him again...

My Opinion:

When I saw the book for the first time I was instantly drawn to it’s cover, it’s so beautiful =) Then I read the blurb and knew: I have to read this book.

It's a wonderful novel about Alex, who just went to the other end of England to escape from everything at home. With a broken heart and the lost of trust she starts her new life.

She meets Ruan and as a reader I instantly felt their connection. It actually took them much longer to realise it. They both also had other things to deal with, issues from their past, which always came in between.

I couldn’t put the book down, the writing is amazing and emotional.

I loved Alex as the main character and could really connect with her. The book is open for controversial topcis, which I think is great.

Definitely worth reading!!! Can’t wait to read more of Scarlett Bailey.

I have to say I’m not a big fan of dogs (trauma since childhood) and Alex didn’t like dogs either. Well, yes I used the past on purpose. It was great to see how she got closer to Buoy.

This book is the most perfect and an amazing Christmas story and it instantly gets you into the Christmassy spirit. Alex is a wonderful heroine and the way she is handling her situation is inspiring.

The story is full of drama, emotions and everything about it is so authentic.

Never felt closer to characters in a book.

Ruan is a typical man on one side, but once you get closer and get to know him, he’s just everything a girl wishes for.

Oh and I love the choices of names (Ruan and Buoy), it’s not just normal names, which I think is really great.

Go buy the book now, it’s definitely more than worth it. I can’t even find enough words to describe how great it is. <3 <3 <3

Rating:

My possible cast:

Alex: Geraldine Hassler

Ruan: Blair Redford

Scarlett on Twitter: @ScarlettBailey

Two Weddings and a Baby - by Scarlett Bailey

Original Cover

My own copy

 The blurb:

Tamsyn Thorne has not been back to her home town of Poldore for five long years.

But now her brother, Ruan, is about to get married and she has no excuses left.

Her plans to arrive in Cornwall looking chic and successful are dashed when a huge storm turns her from fashion goddess to a drowned rat. Worse, she ends up insulting the local hunky vicar – and then finds a tiny baby abandoned in his churchyard…

My Opinion:

When this beauty arrived at my doorstep, I was screaming and jumping around. Ever since I read Just For Christmas (Alex and Ruan’s story) I wanted to go back to Poldore, a lovely and sweet little town in Cornwall.

Yay and here we are!

This time the story is focused on Tamsyn Thorne, Ruan’s younger sister. Something happened between them in the past and they are not talking.

Tamsyn is now working in Paris, as a fashion designer and she kind of has a “Friends with benefits” relationship to her boss. Well, Ruan and Alex are happier than ever and they are getting married, the perfect opportunity for Tamsyn to come back, she didn’t see it that way at the time, but the story developed…

When she founds a baby abandoned in a churchyard, her love changed. I loved the way she was caring for that little girl. She showed a new side to the fashion and career driven woman. A storm hits the village and pushes them all closer together, helping each other and trying everything to make the wedding still possible. It also brought Jed, the vicar, and Tamsyn closer together. Their chemistry was something special from the start. The two of them being very different, with different believes made it difficult for them to see the truth. However, the most important thing was for them to see in the same direction concerning love. Well, let’s just say it was an interesting journey of passion, feelings, the past and finding their true self.

Jed was a great character, not a typical vicar and very very gorgeous. I think he’s perfect for Tamsyn… new book boyfriend <3

Well, the thing I enjoyed most about the book was reading about Alex and Ruan again. I loved their story and it found a way to continue in this one. Their feelings for each other come through again and Alex and Tamsyn got on so well, I was so happy about that. When the storm destroyed the wedding dress, Tamsyn made her one <3. And there was still the thing between Ruan and his sister, which needed clarification. Let me just say that it had something to do with their past and a woman.

Oh and Buoy was there again too, awwww. I’m not a dog’s person, but I love this dog.

Oh and what about the second wedding? Well, just read it to find out!

This book is about family, love, friendship, a community sticking together overcoming different obstacles. Full of humour, surprises, drama and emotions, the perfect mixture, describe in the most brilliant way. It’s a masterpiece, you’ve done a marvellous job Scarlet!

Rating:

My possible cast:

Tamsyn: AJ Michalka

Jed: Matthew Davis

Scarlet on Twitter: @ScarlettBailey

Book of the Month - August

The books I read this month:

-       What A Girl Wants – by Lindsey Kelk 5/5

-       The Romeo Club – by Rebekah L. Purdy 4.5/5

-       The Accidental Socialite – by Stephanie Wahlstrom 3/5

-       Wild Attraction– by Emma Hart 5/5

-       The Vintage Summer Wedding – by Jenny Oliver 3/5

-       Two Weddings and a Baby  – by Scarlett Bailey 5/5

-       Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista – by Aven Ellis 5/5

-       A Gift To Remember – by Melissa Hill 5/5

-       You Had Me At Merlot Part 1 – by Lisa Dickenson 5/5

-       You Had Me At Merlot Part 2 – by Lisa Dickenson 5/5

-       You Had Me At Merlot Part 3 – by Lisa Dickenson 5/5

-       You Had Me At Merlot Part 4 – by Lisa Dickenson 5/5

-       Breaking Up With barrett – by Katy Regnery 5/5

-       Falling for Fitz – by Katy Regnery 5/5

-       Not Quite Perfect – by Annie Lyons 4/5

-       Fated for Love – by Melissa Foster 4.5/5

-       Wild Temptation – by Emma Hart 4/5

-       Anyone but Alex – by Katy Regnery 5/5

I’ve read so many amazing books this month, which makes this decision really difficult. The ones I have chosen a really different from each other, covering various topics and they each have a unique storyline, so that’s why I picked more than one. Oh and btw, I’ve reached my Goodreads Challenge of reading 100 books this year, I’m so surprised, I mean it’s only August!!!

Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista – Aven Ellis

The bit on the back: 

Recent college graduate Avery Andrews is ready to begin a new life in the big city. She’s landed an apartment in Chicago’s famed Lincoln Park neighborhood–and has her eye on the cute commodities trader just a floor above.

If Premier Airlines knew about her fear of flying, they never would have hired her to be their marketing assistant—but it’s not like Avery wants a lifelong career. Right now she simply wants a job to pay her bills…and fund a few little shopping excursions, too.

Her new lifestyle comes with a price tag, as Avery is not only faced with paying a ridiculous rent but finds she’s perceived as one of the vacant, husband-hunting fashionistas who live in the area. Avery resents this stereotype—so she doesn’t want a lifelong career, and she loves fashions she can’t afford, but that doesn’t mean she is empty-headed and spoiled, does it?

When an opportunity to participate in a documentary at work arises, Avery finds a two-fold solution to her problems. She’ll earn extra money for it, and the documentary will show her as a serious career woman, enabling her to shed that husband-hunting fashionista label for good.

When the camera is on, Avery attempts to be a motivated professional woman. But when she is challenged by Deacon Ryan, the videographer assigned to cover her story, Avery finds herself wanting things she was never supposed to want—like a lasting career—and Deacon. And Avery might just gain more from the experience than a perfect career image and extra cash to put in her Tory Burch wallet…

My opinion:

Aven has done it again! This book is the perfect combination of humour, love, fun, fashion, film, entertainment and real emotions and feelings. Aven’s characters are genuinely authentic and it was a real pleasure following the storyline. I can’t tell you how much I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down. Review is to follow and look out for my #AvenSpecial around the pub date (September 10). Oh and btw, you can pre-order it here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MS9W3PQ/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

Aven on Twitter: @AvenEllis

Website:http://www.avenellis.com 

What A Girl Wants – Lindsey Kelk

The bit on the back:

A summer bestseller from the immensely popular Lindsey Kelk Tess Brookes was the girl with a plan. Now she's the girl with a choice. Should she stay in London and start her own advertising agency with her best friend and potential boyfriend Charlie? Or should she head to exciting Milan to pursue both a new career as a photographer and a new man, the enigmatic and elusive (and highly irritating) Nick? For the first time, Tess has to choose between the life she always dreamed of and a future she never imagined possible. With her heart and her head pulling her in different directions, Tess has to make a life-changing decision about What a Girl Wants.

My opinion: 

Our Tess is back!!! If you enjoyed About A Girl, you will love this sequel, it’s brilliant. Funny, entertaining, bubbly, fresh, vivid... These are just a few word sto desribe this novel. Oh and btw I’m definitely #TeamNick ;) read my review here:

Lindsey on Twitter: @LindseyKelk

Website: http://lindseykelk.com

Two Weddings and A Baby – Scarlett Bailey

The bit on the back: 

Tamsyn Thorne has not been back to her home town of Poldore for five long years.

But now her brother, Ruan, is about to get married and she has no excuses left.

Her plans to arrive in Cornwall looking chic and successful are dashed when a huge storm turns her from fashion goddess to a drowned rat. Worse, she ends up insulting the local hunky vicar – and then finds a tiny baby abandoned in his churchyard…(

My opinion:

This book is about family, love, friendship, a community sticking together overcoming different obstacles. Full of humour, surprises, drama and emotions, the perfect mixture, describe in the most brilliant way. It’s a masterpiece, you’ve done a marvellous job Scarlet! Review will be up soon.

Scarlett on Twitter: @ScarlettBailey