The Gift of Happiness – by Holly Martin

The blurb: 

Christmas has arrived in the little village of Happiness, promising snowflakes, hot chocolate and plenty of seasonal romance. So snuggle up and fall in love with the gorgeously cosy new story from the bestselling author of Christmas at Lilac Cottage…

Christmas has always been such an important part of Ruby Marlowe’s life and at a time of year that always holds so many memories, Ruby likes to throw herself into the magic of the season head first. So when she is offered the opportunity to open a year-round Christmas shop in the little village of Happiness it seems like a dream come true.

Accepting the offer has absolutely nothing to do with sexy Jacob Harrington, the sculptor she had a fling with in the village during the summer.

After all, Jacob is known to love the ladies and has never had a commitment. Ruby, on the other hand, made the ultimate vow of love and suffered heart-wrenching loss in return. She vows she will never be committed to a man again.

But when fate throws Ruby and Jacob together in this town in the most magical of seasons, will more than snowflakes fall? As the Christmas celebrations get underway and Ruby tries to spread her own Christmas magic over the little village, can love sparkle and come back to life.

A glorious, feel-good romance that’s like a warm hug on a cold winter’s day. An unputdownable festive treat for lovers of Sarah Morgan, Miranda Dickinson and Lucy Diamond.

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

We are back in the lovely village of Happiness and I couldn't be more excited.

The main character in this book is Ruby Marlowe, who goes to Happiness to sell her Christmas things. Her store is not ready yet, so she has to share with a guy called Phoenix Blade. Well, it turns out she knows him. It's Jacob Harrington, her summer fling, you could call it. Apparently, the chemistry was really there, but she definitely doesn't want more. 

Ruby's best friend Willow is also still in Happiness and of course still together with the lovely Andrew. Jacob is Andrew's brother. It was so lovely to read about them again. Their story develops as well in this book, which is just great. 

Let's get back to Ruby and Jacob now. Sharing the same store, evidently means spending a lot of time together. Well, one thing leads to another of course, but Ruby just shoves away her feelings. She went through a lot in her past and it's hard for her to move on, even though she clearly feels attracted to him. Jacob is absolutely adorable to her, cares for her, helps her and does everything for her, even if it's his greatest fear. 

Their scenes and special moments are captured beautifully and it feels very intimate. Holly Martin's descriptive, deep and emotional writing is on point and very gripping. The characters go through a lot emotionally and have lots of people Round them, caring for them. The book is set around Christmas time and that adds a lot of magic to it. Happiness is the perfect festive town and all the festivities and events are lovely. The setting of this book is absolutely perfect and unique. 

I fell in love with the characters and the story immediately. The storyline is very exciting and full of ups and downs, Holly Martin's writing is beautiful and full of feelings and passion!

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!

Rating:

  

Outscored – by Aven Ellis

The blurb: 

One bubbly seasonal decorator. One fiery hockey captain. And a wagon full of gnomes who play matchmaker better than Cupid…

When seasonal stylist Whitney Green heads to a Denver flea market to find gnomes for a client’s upcoming party, she thinks she has hit the jackpot when she discovers a slew of them.
Little does she know that gnomes aren’t going to be the only thing she picks up that Saturday.

When fate throws Whitney and hockey superstar Gavin Tremblay together, she finds herself questioning her policy of staying on the bench when it comes to romance. She came to the Rockies to escape the pain of a broken heart. Not to date. Especially when she knows she is due to return to Seattle in four months and she can’t figure out what went wrong in her last relationship…
The captain isn’t looking for love, either. Battered and bruised by not only a broken romance but a devastating leg injury, he’s focused on getting his game back. The last time he trusted his heart it gutted him. He refuses to go down that path again.
But the chemistry between Gavin and Whitney is too hot to deny and falling in love is the only option. However, when personal fears come to the surface and cause problems between them, can a relationship prevail? Or will defense outscore offense in this game of love?

Outscored is a laugh out loud, swoony romance with a good-boy hero and a hilarious heroine. Flamingos, gnomes, and a happily ever after are guaranteed in this book. 

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

We are finally back in Denver with the Mountain Lions and captain Gavin Tremblay gets his story. 

The leading lady in this book is Whitney Green, she is a seasonal decorator and is only in Boulder on a temporary basis. Interior design really is her thing and that's why she finds herself on flee markets quite regularly. That's where she bumps into her friend Skye (yes, we all know her and Maxime), they are on a double date with Gavin and a friend of Skye’s, but she doesn't seem to be his type. When Gavin and Whitney start speaking, they hit it off immediately. They get on so well that the go in a date the next day. 

It's a beautiful date in the Denver National Park area and they really have the best time. It's clear that they are made for each other and sparks fly between them. Of course things have to develop first, but the chemistry is there for sure and Aven Ellis captures it beautifully. 

I really adored their scenes and moments, it was like watching a movie. Gavin had a terrible injury at the end of last season and when the new season starts, he struggles. Whitney tries to be there for him, but it's not as easy as it seems. She fights to stay in Boulder and that is also easier said than done. He encourages her as well and is always there for her, now he just needs to let her in as well. All this leads to an exciting and dramatic storyline with lots of ups and downs.

Whitney's best friend Lila plays a very important role as well. Friendship is a key point in this story anyways and I really loved that aspect of it. Of course the other thing I really enjoyed is the hockey and it was interesting to see a struggling player for once. 

Aven Ellis has done it again, a wonderful story! I can't wait for the next one. 

Rating:

Aven Ellis on Twitter: @AvenEllis

Website: http://avenellis.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Cover Reveal - Just a Kiss by Carrie Elks

Title: Just A Kiss

Author: Carrie Elks

Release Date: November 1, 2019

AMAZON UNIVERSAL LINK: http://mybook.to/JustAKiss

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47908604-just-a-kiss

BLURB:

Beautiful, perfect and everything he needs.

Caitie Russell's big brother is getting married! As the proud owner of Holiday Magic, Caitie is the obvious choice to organise the perfect Christmas wedding. Piece of cake, right?

If it weren't for one gorgeous man-shaped problem...

Her brother's best friend, Brecken Miller.

First crush

First kiss

First broken heart...

Brecken Miller. Modern-day Scrooge. Confirmed bachelor.

He’d rather pull his nails out than celebrate Christmas.

Until he sees Caitie again. 

Like a moth to a flame he’s drawn to her.

But there’s one problem with fire. It always leaves a scar.

AMAZON US LINK: https://amzn.to/2mNZzOr

AMAZON UK LINK: https://amzn.to/2mp25KB

AMAZON UNIVERSAL LINK: http://mybook.to/JustAKiss

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47908604-just-a-kiss

BEGIN THE SERIES WITH LET ME BURN (Angel Sands Book 1) for FREE in KU: mybook.to/LetMeBurn

Sunshine Over Bluebell Castle – by Sarah Bennett

The blurb: 

The summer she will never forget…

Time’s running out for Iggy Ludworth to restore the wild gardens of Camland Castle in time for the Summer Fete, so she ropes in hotshot gardener Will Talbot…

But she regrets her decision as soon as he sets foot in the historic grounds – not only is Will arrogant and bossy, he’s totally gorgeous!

And very soon, sparks are flying amongst the bluebells. Yet with summer nearly over, will their summer fling convince Will and Iggy to go the distance?

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Sunshine Over Bluebell Castle is book two in Sarah Bennett’s Bluebell castle series and my first book by the author. I absolutely fell in love with her writing. 

This book can totally be read as a standalone, but after finishing the second book, I definitely want to read the first one as well. The main characters of the first book play an important role in this one as well and I really want to get to know them as well. The series is about triplets, who live at Camland Castle and went through a lot in the past. 

Iggy Ludworth is the main character in this story,. She wants to restore the castle’s gardens to it’s former glory. She hires non other than celebrity gardener Will Talbot. They are not off the best start, but things seem to blossom fast. I really liked the energy and chemistry between them and the author captured it beautifully. The triplet’s mother Helena suddenly shows up as well and seems interested in their lives, well... Helena is quite something, but she adds a lot of drama tot he storyline.

Sarah Bennett’s writing is full of passion, heart and love. I enjoyed every second o fit and I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Rating:

Sarah Bennett on Twitter: @Sarahlou_writes

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Cover Reveal - Outscored by Aven Ellis

Rinkside in the Rockies #3

Publisher - Self Published

Release Date - 25th September 2019

Blurb

 One bubbly seasonal decorator. One fiery hockey captain. And a wagon full of gnomes who play matchmaker better than Cupid …

When seasonal stylist Whitney Green heads to a Denver flea market to find gnomes for a client’s upcoming party, she thinks she has hit the jackpot when she discovers a slew of them.

Little does she know that gnomes aren’t going to be the only thing she picks up that Saturday.

When fate throws Whitney and hockey superstar Gavin Tremblay together, she finds herself questioning her policy of staying on the bench when it comes to romance. She came to the Rockies to escape the pain of a broken heart. Not to date. Especially when she knows she is due to return to Seattle in four months and she can’t figure out what went wrong in her last relationship ...

The captain isn’t looking for love, either. Battered and bruised by not only a broken romance but a devastating leg injury, he’s focused on getting his game back. The last time he trusted his heart it gutted him. He refuses to go down that path again.

But the chemistry between Gavin and Whitney is too hot to deny and falling in love is the only option. However, when personal fears come to the surface and cause problems between them, can a relationship prevail? Or will defense outscore offense in this game of love?

Outscored is a laugh out loud, swoony romance with a good-boy hero and a hilarious heroine. Flamingos, gnomes, and a happily ever after are guaranteed in this book. 

Links

Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/2UjvTFE

Amazon US - https://amzn.to/34d0oS1

Goodreads - http://bit.ly/2PAgX79

About the Author

I live in the Dallas area with my family. I enjoy clipping out recipes I will never get around to trying, working out, and chatting with friends on social media. I’m a hockey nut (Go Stars!) and watch as much as humanly possible. I also love shopping and fashion and admit to being obsessed with whatever the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing. In addition to be obsessed with the Duchess, I’m equally obsessed with any show or cookbook featuring Gordon Ramsay.

Links

Website/Blog - http://avenellis.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/@AvenEllis

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AvenEllis1

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7265661.Aven_Ellis

Amazon Page - https://amzn.to/2wc99yX

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/avenellis/

Accidental Heroes – by Danielle Steel

The blurb: 

On a beautiful May morning at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport, two planes have just departed for San Francisco—one a 757, another a smaller Airbus A321. At a security checkpoint, TSA agent Bernice Adams finds a postcard of the Golden Gate Bridge bearing an ambiguous—perhaps ominous—message. Her supervisor dismisses her concerns, but Bernice calls security and soon Ben Waterman arrives. A senior Homeland Security agent, still grappling with guilt after a disastrous operation in which hostages were killed, Ben too becomes suspicious. Who left the postcard behind, which flight is that person on, and what exactly does the message mean?

As Ben scans the passenger manifests, his focus turns to the A321, with Helen Smith as its senior pilot. Helen’s military service and her tenure with the airline have been exemplary. But her husband’s savage death in Iraq was more than anyone should bear, leaving her widowed with three children. A major film star is on board. So is an off-duty pilot who has just lost his forty-year career. So is a distraught father, traveling with the baby son he has abducted from his estranged wife. Sifting through data and relying on instinct, Ben becomes convinced that someone on Helen’s plane is planning something terrible. And he’s right. Passengers, crew, and experts on the ground become heroes out of necessity to try to avert tragedy at the eleventh hour.

In her stunning novel, Danielle Steel combines intense action with stories of emotionally rich, intertwined lives. As the jet bears down on its destination of San Francisco, strangers are united, desperate choices are made, and futures will be changed forever by a handful of accidental heroes.

My Opinion:

In all my years as a book blogger, I never read a Danielle Steel book. My mum loves her books and always recommends them to me, so I started reading this one!

It’s a about a plane flying from New York to San Francisco and they are afraid somebody is going to crash it. The book tells the story of different people: Bernice, a woman, who finds a postcard with an ominous message or Ben, who is dealing with the problems from the ground, all the passengers, the pilot etc. It means getting to know a lot of people and their lives, which is a lot in the beginning, but once you know them, it gets really interesting. All these characters play a key role in this story, so they need to be talked about. 

I was hooked from the beginning, it gets very intense at some point and I just couldn’t stop reading, because I needed to know what happens. The author’s style is very gripping, exciting, mysterious and intense. I felt like watching a movie, it all seemed so real. The writing is very descriptive and full of details. 

I have never read a book like this and really enjoyed it. I have definitely become a Danielle Steel fan and look forward to reading more stories written by her. 

I also liked, how the story continued after all seemed over. 

GREAT!

Rating:

Danielle Steel on Twitter: @daniellesteel

Website: http://daniellesteel.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US