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Christmas on Fifth Avenue- Blog Tour

ABOUT THE BOOK

Christmas on Fifth Avenue

Welcome to New York, where the Christmas lights dazzle, the snow is falling and love is just around the corner…

Evie Green’s Christmas dream turns into a nightmare when a viral video makes her the laughing stock of the internet. But then a 5 star hotel sees a PR opportunity and invites her to New York for a Christmas she’ll remember forever.

Enter Noah Sanderson, a disgraced soccer star seeking anonymity. Forced to fake a festive romance for the cameras, sparks fly – but not the twinkling Christmas kind!

As Fifth Avenue sparkles in all its holiday glory, can The City that Never Sleeps show these two frosted hearts that, maybe, the best love stories are the ones you never see coming.

Don’t miss this cozy Christmas spin off series from the million-copy-bestselling author of the Romantic Escapes series! Each book can be read as a standalone.

Guaranteed:

Forced proximity

Grumpy sunshine

Happy ever after

Cozy comfort read

New York Christmas magic – think red velvet bows, chunky tartan-knit scarves, giant red baubles, the Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree, Macy’s, The Nutcracker and more!

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/Brand-Christmas-Romance-Julie-Caplin-ebook/dp/B0DJ6HS9NJ/

MY THOUGHTS

After reading several books by the author I knew I’d want to read this book, the most current before this, A Little Place in Prague. I loved that one as I did this one.
This is the first book in a new series, Christmas Escapes #1.
This is such a fun romantic holiday book. Perfectly imperfect couple that have things to work out on their own and together.
The descriptions of The Plaza were warm, festive and brimming with holiday cheer. Now I want to experience a New York Christmas.
A cozy Christmas read that’ll have you cheering for the couple as this one’s perfect for the holidays.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Jules Wake aka Julie Caplin is an internationally bestselling author with over 2 million sales over twenty five books including the highly successful Romantic Escape series which has been translated into over 24 languages. Her books have topped the charts in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Iceland, Italy, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

After reading English at university, Jules Wake worked in PR where she honed her fiction writing skills on press releases and swanned around Europe taking journalists on gastronomic press trips. These visits inspired the locations of many of her books. She’s now a full-time author and what better job is there than making stuff up! It certainly beats housework.

As an avid romance fan, she’s written in several genres including historical romantic fiction, contemporary women’s romance fiction and romantic comedy. October will see the publication of her twenty eight book, Christmas on Fifth Avenue.

Social Media Links

https://www.facebook.com/JulieCaplinAuthor/

Instagram @juliecaplinauthor

Happy Terrific Tuesday! Thanks for stopping in!

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The Christmas Tree Farm

five-star rating icon (2)

176 pages Publisher Revell Publication date September 3, 2024

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Madison McDowell returns from several years teaching overseas, she has high hopes of picking up where she left off at her family’s Christmas tree farm in Oregon. But between damage from a recent wildfire and the neglect due to her sister Addie’s unwillingness to invest, the farm is in sad shape. In fact, Addie is intent on selling the property. And to top it off, her former high school flame, the now-widowed Gavin Thompson, has plans to break Madison’s heart again by turning his neighboring property into a dusty, noisy dirt bike track for his daughter.

With the odds stacked against her, Madison decides there’s only one thing to do: double down on her dreams. It will take a ton of hard work–and some help from an unlikely ally–to save the farm she so dearly loves. But it may take a miracle to restore her relationship with her sister.

Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson charms and delights with this uplifting Christmas story full of old memories and new beginnings.

MY THOUGHTS

Every year I look forward to the author’s Christmas books, and I always love them as they are such feel-good reads. Unfortunately, this was one didn’t do it for me.
The sisters are not close and fight constantly with little regard to what the other thinks.
Also, the younger sister is a vegetarian, the older sister didn’t know this but rolls her eyes when she finds this out as she’s making a meat sauce spaghetti.
The vegetarian younger sister brings a bbq meat lunch for them when she goes out to grab lunch for them. She also argues with the mother about the best way to cook a turkey then the whole family gets sick on an undercooked Thanksgiving turkey. There are other instances as well.
The author chose to have a vegetarian character but then didn’t follow through with it as if the character wasn’t actually that way.
This is a second chance romance but it all just happened too fast this second time around.
Hopefully the next book I read by the author will be better.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including Romantic Time’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

Thank you for stopping in. Have a lovely day.

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Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge: (The Maple Tree Lodge Hotel Book 1)

312 pages Publication date June 30, 2025 Boldwood Books

ABOUT THE BOOK

A family and hotel in desperate need of help…

Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads.

With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the complete opposite to what Ben has in mind for a minimalistic, modern makeover and fireworks ensue!

Can they work together to save Maple Tree Lodge?
Can Lily help Ben and his family find a future together?
And can Ben show Lily that there’s more to life than work?

As autumn at Maple Tree Lodge begins to weave its magic spell, perhaps Lily will discover somewhere to finally call home and a reason to stay …

MY THOUGHTS

Maple Tree Lodge is in beautiful Cotswold’s, if only there were customers to enjoy its scenic view. Having been in the Jackson family for over a century Ben gets a real eyeopener when his father, main caretaker passes away. Realizing the hotel has fallen into drastic financial decline and the hotel needs a renovation as well.
Lily Watson. is an up-and-coming interior designer and best friends with Hannah, Ben’s sister. Sure she’s about to get her big break in the business she’s let go right as that’s about to happen.
As a favor to Hannah, she agrees to do the interior designing renovations on the hotel to modernize things.
Lily and Ben clash on everything from the new design plans to the paint colors; how will this work get done if they can’t even discuss anything civilly?
When she goes to the boathouse to cool off after one of their arguments, not knowing she’s in there he steps in as well.
After this, thing start to change for them.
I loved how at home Lily felt with the Jackson family.
Such a feelgood book. The characters were fun and likable, and the Autumn scenery description sounded magical.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Alison Sherlock writes feelgood and uplifting romantic fiction. Her most recent books are all based around the beautiful English Cotswolds.

Her debut novel The Desperate Bride’s Diet Club reached No 1 in the Italian book charts.

With multiple Top 100 Bestsellers in the UK Kindle charts, her completed series are Willow Tree Hall, Riverside Lane and Railway Lane. Every title within a series can be enjoyed as a standalone romance but each story is full of warmth, laughter, love, family and friendships.

Alison’s latest series Maple Tree Lodge Hotel is focussed on all those who live and work at Maple Tree Lodge, a rundown hotel by a lake in the Cotswolds.

The first book, Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge, was released in June 2025 in all formats and is currently available in Prime Reading. Interior designer Lily has a vision for a cosy country hotel makeover which is the complete opposite to the minimalistic, modern style that owner Ben has in mind. Fireworks ensue in this enemies to lovers story!

The second book, Daydreaming at the Boathouse Cafe, will out in early 2026 and is available to pre-order now. Hannah tries to overcome her lack of confidence when she opens her own cafe at Maple Tree Lodge. Alex is at a crossroads after an accident scuppers his athletic career and is hoping to find himself a new path when he stays at his best friend’s hotel. Perhaps he can also finally admit to Hannah how he really feels about her…? It will be a magical summer by the lake in this friends to lovers story!

You can follow Alison on Facebook and X.

Have a wonderful day!

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Blog Tour for The Spiced Cocoa CafΓ© by Harper Graham

THE SPICED COCOA CAFÉ BY HARPER GRAHAM

About the book

β€˜Tis the season when sparks fly…

πŸŽ„πŸŽπŸ«β˜ƒοΈ

A new girl in town who lives for Christmas and has everything to prove. A local rival with tousled dark hair and a smirk that spells trouble. Who will win the holiday showdown of the year? Find out in this totally addictive small-town romance! Gilmore Girls + spice = πŸ”₯

Cassidy is finally opening her dream chocolate shop, inspired by her dear Grandma who made the best cocoa. Now all she wants for Christmas is to win best decorated store and show she belongs in the small-town of Maple Falls. But she’ll have to pull out all the stops to beat the handsome, loveable grinch across the street…

Liam hates the holidaysβ€”they remind him of past heartbreak. But to support his family’s llama sanctuary, he’s determined to deck out his farm shop in holiday cheer and win that prize. Then he sees herβ€”chocolate-smeared cheeks, wide blue eyes and the warmest smile. He’s up against the cutest, most Christmas-obsessed person ever…

Their rivalry heats up as the town divides between Team Cassidy and Team Liam. But with the snowflakes falling and their stores looking all merry and bright, will the magic of the season bring them together?

Snuggle up under your blanket with a mug of cocoa and get ready for the hottest ever holiday romance. Lots of steam and a sprinkle of mystery wrapped up in cozy Christmas vibes! Perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore, Emily Henry, Love Actually and The Holiday.

Tropes:

Spicy

Grumpy sunshine

Second chance romance

Small-town vs. city life

Found family

MY THOUGHTS

Liam is a Maple Falls local. He’s never had anything against Christmas it’s an okay holiday, no big deal but as of a few years ago he absolutely cringes when he hears the word Christmas. He’s a total Christmas grinch and can totally do without it. And this is all because of a terrible Christmas tragedy that happened that has him ready to completely hide away during the Christmas holiday.
Cassidy, new girl in town has a personality like a ray of sunshine on the snowiest day that melt all your troubles away.
She’s opened up a sweets shop offering her grandma’s famous cocoa recipe and the townsfolks love it and her bubbly personality.
Despite her loving the Christmas season and going all out and Liam wanting nothing to do with it he’s drawn to Cassidy.
The Christmas war is on with Cassidy and Liam each setting up what they hope is the Christmas lights and decorative display winning store front on each of their shops. The winning decorated shop will win a cash prize donated to the charity of their choice.
I loved the realistic banter between each of our main characters. The characters realistically showed vulnerability though to some who may not have known them they seemed to have it all.
Full of many Christmas vibes including holiday baking, snow, decorating and all-around fun this is a new to me author who has now caught my attention and I will be on the lookout for more books to read by them. Fun with a warm cozy feel to it this book was perfect for me!

I was given a complimentary copy of the book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Harper Graham lives with her mischievous spaniel in a cozy small town in Connecticut. Her quirky neighbours may or may not have inspired the residents of her Maple Falls series. When she’s not hiking with her daughter, baking her grandmother’s recipes or reading in her favourite coffee shop, Harper can be found writing the sweet and spicy romance stories of her own dreams.

Mailing List: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/harper-graham

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarperGrahamAuthor/

Twitter: https://x.com/HarperGraham_

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harpergrahambooks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@harpergrahambooks

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Snow KissedΒ by RaeAnne Thayne

320 pages Publisher Canary Street Press Publication date October 7, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

Christmas has always been single mom Holly Goodwin Moore’s favorite time of year. The twinkly lights on the tree, the cookies in the oven, the snow on the ground. But she’s just not feeling it this year. The wedding in her ex’s family is almost here, her daughter, Lydia, is bursting at the seams to be a flower girl…and Holly couldn’t be dreading it more. She told a little white lie about having a new boyfriend as her plus-one, hoping to save face. She needs a date for the wedding…and she needs it now.

Ryan Caldwell wants to be free this holiday season. So even he isn’t sure how he landed in Shelter Springs, looking after his niece, Audrey, with his estranged father down the road. But when he meets Holly, she makes him want to belong for the very first time. So, they make a deal: he’ll be her date if she’ll help him give Audrey a true Christmas to remember while her mom is away.

MY THOUGHTS

A very get you in the Christmassy mood kind of fun romantic book.
I loved all the characters right away, especially the young daughter. What can I say, young children always make a family story so much better in my opinion.
Tough as nails, Ryan Caldwell, a Navy pilot man isn’t sure how he’s been roped into babysitting his niece this holiday season while her mom is in rehab but somehow, he has and while in town he wants to make the holiday season special for her.
She’s just doing her job right? Holly Goodwin Moore is a florist and preparing the flowers for her ex’s wedding, no problem. She can handle it right, especially when they already have a baby on the way.
When Ryan and Holly meet, Ryan finally feels as if he’s come home and this fake dating thing is starting to feel a little too real when real emotions and stolen kisses turn into the real thing.
Lots of holiday cheer in this upbeat read that’ll have you want to start holiday decorating and baking.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

1 Publishers Weekly, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including seven RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews magazine. RaeAnne loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at http://www.raeannethayne.com.

Have a lovely weekend. Thank you for stopping in.

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In the Blink of a Pie (Maple Syrup Mysteries, 3)

320 pages Publisher Poisoned Pen Press Publication date October 22, 2024

ABOUT THE BOOK

USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns is back with the third installment in the “delightfully sweet” Maple Syrup Mysteries, transporting readers back to the cozy town of Sugar Ridge, Vermont, where things are bound to go from sweet, to sour.

Sometimes, there’s no one you can crust…

It’s Thanksgiving in Sugar Ridge, Vermont, and Leila Khoury, manager of Sappy Endings Farm, is ready to usher in the holiday season by hosting a pie-baking contest. The day is meticulously planned, from the judging panel to the maple lattes, and Leila can’t wait for the entire town to enjoy some sweet treats.

But when a neighbor drops dead from sampling a poisoned pumpkin pie, it’s not just Leila’s perfect day that’s in jeopardy―her livelihood is now at stake. And after yet another near-fatal incident, she realizes an even more terrifying truth: the killer wasn’t targeting her neighbor, but someone even closer to home! 

Can Leila figure out who’s behind the murder, before the dough hits the fan?

Includes delicious holiday pie recipes!

MY THOUGHTS

In the Blink of a Pie is the third book in the Maple Syrup Mysteries series and I’ve read and loved them all.


A Fall themed cozy mystery has Leila Khoury returning to Sugar Ridge, Vermont, as the manager helping her mother run Sappy Endings Farm after the passing of her father selling maple syrup/sugar. along with her mother running the gift shop and cafe it’s become a pretty popular place for locals and tourists alike to stop in.


A Thanksgiving pie baking contest with them being dropped off at the farm to be judged will just add to the farm’s busy season but they’re ready for it. Business is so brisk that Leila hires a local woman to help her mother in the cafe, and she already has experience running a bagel shop, so she fits in nicely and is such a big help.


The day of the pie judging is here, and the town’s folks are all aflutter with excitement but when someone drops dead from the tasting of the pies to be judged the business drops like a rock at the farm and cafe.


While this is a cozy mystery to solve, I enjoyed that its main focus wasn’t just on this. There are other side stories and developments, a romance developing for Leila, her relationship with her boyfriend’s daughter, mother daughter strengthening relationships after it has been strained for a while.

Best friend relationships and clues that are well paced as we figure out who the suspects are and why they may have done it.
The pacing was even and on track and I really enjoyed the book a lot. I hope to see more in the series soon.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Website

https://www.catherinebruns.net

Twitter

Genre

Mystery

Catherine is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in Upstate New York with her very patient husband, three sons and several spoiled pets. She holds a dual B.A. in English and Performing Arts and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. Catherine also writes the Italian Chef, Maple Syrup, and Cindy York mysteries. Her book, For Sale by Killer, won the Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense.

Happy weekend. Thank you for stopping in!

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Fatal Fudge Swirl: An Ice Cream Shop Mystery

320 pages Publisher St. Martin’s Paperbacks Publication date June 27, 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

A movie production brings drama―and murder―to a close-knit New England village, forcing Riley Rhodes to scoop out the suspects.

Former CIA librarian and amateur sleuth Riley Rhodes is loving her fresh start as the manager of the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop. The leaves are turning, tourists are leaf-peeping, and Penniman, Connecticut is putting finishing touches on the weekend long Halloween Happening. But the village is also buzzing. Former child star Cooper Collins is overseeing the production of a romantic comedy that’s filming on the town green and his domineering socialite mother, Diantha, is planning her lavish Halloween themed wedding at her Inn on the Green. Her fiancΓ© has run the Inn’s kitchen for years, ably aided by his recent ex-wife, chef Mary Ann Dumas. An old friend of Riley’s, Mary Ann turns to her when the bride requests a spooky ice cream wedding cake.

But the weekend takes a frightful turn when Diantha is found dead and suspicion falls on Mary Ann. The cast of potential suspects is long―each wedding guest had a chilling motive to kill the vicious heiress. Can Riley unmask the murderer before another guest ends up on ice?

MY THOUGHTS

Though this is the third book in the series it’s my first read of this series.
It is an intriguing book loaded with Halloween and spooky themes and let’s not forget ice cream.


The town of Penniman, Connecticut is all alight this Halloween weekend as former child star Cooper Collins is in charge of the filming happening on the town green. To top it off his bossy mother getting married is the talk of the town with a lavish Halloween themed wedding at her Inn on the Green. Her husband to has worked in the inns kitchen for years aided by his former wife.


When the bride to be requests a spooky wedding cake and then is found dead all eyes turn to the former wife but is she the responsible one?
What a clever way the murder was carried out I’ve never seen this ingenious way written about in a mystery before.


Loved the twists and turns and now I’m hungry for ice cream.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Books? Travel? Ice Cream? Yes, please! Former librarian Meri Allen loves exploring the back roads – and ice cream shops – of her native New England. She also writes the award-winning Lobster Shack Mystery series as Shari Randall. Check out her travels, recipes, book giveaways and fun in her quarterly newsletter, The Scoop. Sign up on https://www.meriallenbooks.com. Happy reading!

Happy Thursday! Thank you for stopping in.

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The Gingerbread Bakery (Dream Harbor) (Book 5)

384 pages Publisher Harper Collins Publication date September 16, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

Every book in the Dream Harbor series can be read as a standalone.

❄️❄️❄️❄️

As owner of her beloved Gingerbread Bakery, Annie Andrews should have a love life to match her business; sugary and sweet. But instead, she’s locked in a game of words with the irritatingly upbeat bar owner down the street.

Mac Sullivan has everything he wants, except the girl he dreams of. It’s easier to argue with Annie than get her to talk to him but with Jeanie and Logan’s wedding coming up, they’re about to spend a lot more time together.

As the snowflakes fall and with romance in the air, will Annie see that the one she loves to hate might just be her perfect match after all?

The Gingerbread Bakery is a cozy romantic novel with an enemies to lovers dynamic, small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!

Tropes:

Forced Proximity

Enemies to lovers

Found family

Small Town

MY THOUGHTS

This is Dream Harbor book number five and it’s absolutely lovely. I’m delighted I got a chance to read it. We continue on with the same characters while adding a few new characters in to make it even better. I love having the familiarity of past characters to anchor a book.
A small-town cozy spicy holiday romance.


Our two main characters have known each other for years and he’s been crushing on her this whole time, but she had no idea.
They did have a bit of a romantic past that didn’t last but that hasn’t kept him from still wanting to be with her.


She’s always treated him as an annoyance and when he’s returned to town she seems to notice him, really notice him. Where have these feelings come from, she wonders, this isn’t supposed to be happening. A second chance romance that’ll have you cheering the characters to actually stay together this time. And yes, there are kittens in the book, who can resist that?


We also meet the main characters from the next book in the series, and I can’t wait to read it next Spring.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Laurie Gilmore is a #1 New York Times, Sunday Times, and Globe & Mail bestselling author who writes steamy small-town romance. Her Dream Harbor series is filled with quirky townsfolk, cozy settings, and swoon-worthy romance. The first book in the series, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, was featured on Good Morning America and was named the TikTok Shop Book of the Year 2024.

She loves finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strives for that in her own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then her books are definitely for you.

Happy Tuesday may you brighten someone’s day !

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Blog Tour for A Taste of Christmas Spirit plus giveaway UK only

A Taste of Christmas Spirit

AN ALL-NEW CHRISTMAS SPIRIT BOOK FOR 2025

CAN LARA ADD A DASH OF MAGIC THIS CHRISTMAS?

The Sugar and Spice bakery sparkles with holiday spirit as Jacob serves up more mouthwatering festive treats, and Christmas spirit Lara tries to sprinkle her magic over those finding the time of year difficult.

Ollie is at his wits’ end. A debt from years ago comes back to haunt him just as he and his girlfriend are buying their dream home.

Rose is dejected as her college sweetheart has dumped her now they’re in their final year. She’s not looking forward to Christmas alone, nor her twenty-first birthday on Christmas Eve.

Sacha has recently moved to Winstanton following the failure of his business. He’s too embarrassed to confide in his family, but can he find the friendship he so desperately needs and begin to trust again?

Diana tries to find her new normal after the unexpected death of her husband earlier this year. All her plans for retirement have been thrown out the window and she feels lost. She needs a renewed sense of purpose and to find her place in the world.

Can Lara provide the answer to a joy-filled Christmas?

A story of hope, love, friendship, community, and of course, Christmas spirit.

For fans of Sarah Morgan, Philippa Ashley, Jenny Colgan and Cathy Bramley.

Praise for the Christmas Spirit series:

β€˜Christmas all wrapped up!’
‘Right from page one you are drawn into all the joys of Christmas!’
‘A lovely story about love, friendship and hope all wrapped up in a lovely Christmas jumper!’
‘You can taste the hot chocolate, see all the Christmas lights and feel the warmth of a Christmas hug.’

Purchase Link – https://books2read.com/u/4997jw

MY THOUGHTS

This is a new to me author which in my opinion is so fun to try especially when it’s a Christmas book. I felt happy and content while reading the book. It really has a lot of Christmas spirit within its pages.
The characters kept me reading and the welcoming Sugar and Spice Cafe is sure to have you wanting to stop in. A lot of the story takes place in the cafe.
The cafe is such an important part of the story as friendships and romance are formed and strengthened there.
Charming small-town Christmas romance that has me wanting to read the rest in the series now.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Author Bio –

Susan Buchanan writes contemporary romance, women’s fiction and romantic comedies, usually featuring travel, food, family, friendship, community – also Christmas!

Her books are Sign of the Times, The Dating Game, The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit, A Little Christmas Spirit and Just One Day – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn, The Leap Year Proposal and You Can’t Hurry Love

As a freelance developmental editor, copyeditor and proofreader, if she’s not reading, editing or writing, she’s thinking about it. 

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

She lives near Glasgow with her husband, two children and a crazy Labrador.

When she’s not editing, writing, reading or caring for her two delightful cherubs, she likes going to the theatre, playing board games, watching quiz shows and eating out, and she has recently discovered a love of writing retreats.

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/susancbuchananauthor

X @susan_buchanan and Instagram @AuthorSusanBuchanan and Threads @authorsusanbuchanan and BlueSky @susanbuchanan.bsky.social

And on her website http://www.susanbuchananauthor.com

Giveaway to Win a signed and dedicated paperback of A Taste of Christmas Spirit (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions β€“UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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The Strawberry Patch Pancake House- (Dream Harbor Book 4)

384 pages Publisher Harper Collins Publication date March 18, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

πŸ“πŸ“πŸ“πŸ“

Every book in the Dream Harbor series can be read as a standalone.

As a world-renowned chef, single dad Archer never planned on moving to a small town, let alone running a pancake restaurant. But Dream Harbor needs a new chef, and Archer needs a community to help raise his daughter, Olive.

Iris has never managed to hold down a job for more than a few months. So when it’s suggested that Archer is looking for a live-in nanny, she almost runs in the opposite direction.

Now, Iris finds herself in a whole new world. One where her gorgeous new boss lives right across the hall and likes to cook topless… Keeping everything strictly professional should be easy, right?

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is a cozy romantic mystery with a single dad and found family dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!

Tropes

Found Family

Single Dad

Forced Proximity

Slow Burn

MY THOUGHTS

So, when I read the Pumpkin Spice Cafe, I absolutely loved it, and I was really hoping it wouldn’t be a stand-alone and thank goodness it wasn’t. Now I have several others to read still in the series because other books reading obligations got in the way.

Now I need to read the others very soon because who wouldn’t want to continue with this amazing series.
I must say the covers are beyond cute and have really drawn me to them.
In this one, The Strawberry Patch Pancake House we have a man, a professional chef more comfortable whipping up a fabulous new recipe than dealing with children.


Well, that’s about to change when Archer is informed, he has a five-year-old daughter he’s known nothing about, and the mother has passed away. That’s all about to change when the best course of action is the little girl moving in with him.


Fatherhood leaves him in a frenzy, and he must hire a nanny for help, and their meeting is so disastrous that it’s hilarious. When that’s ironed out, we have grumpy meeting sunshine kind of book.


She’s never taken care of a child before becoming his child’s nanny and has some self-doubts about handling things right but as we all know children don’t come with instruction booklets.


Having children in a romance book can make or break the book but I loved the little girl here, Olive. Such a smart girl and a fun personality.
The characters are realistic as is the setting.

The Dream Harbor series is really great, and I love all the characters I’ve met so far. Characters that are down to earth and you just feel like you could meet up for a cup of coffee and have a great friendly chat.
Can’t wait to get started on more books in the series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Laurie Gilmore is a #1 New York Times, Sunday Times, and Globe & Mail bestselling author who writes steamy small-town romance. Her Dream Harbor series is filled with quirky townsfolk, cozy settings, and swoon-worthy romance. The first book in the series, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, was featured on Good Morning America and was named the TikTok Shop Book of the Year 2024.

She loves finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strives for that in her own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then her books are definitely for you.

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend. Thank you for stopping in.