Tag: holiday fiction

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Winter Whimsy at Golden Sands Bay 

272 pages Publication date May 19, 2023 Boldwood publishers

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Lexi Davies discovers that her father has sold the fishermen’s cottages that she lives in and runs as holiday lets, she is furious and heartbroken. Lexi realises that her whole future at her beloved cottages is now over.
New owner, handsome, Scottish entrepreneur Oliver Whimsy arrives on the island in a blaze of glory and immediately upsets the locals.
When he offers Lexi her old job, she’s unsure whether to accept but needing a roof over her head for the winter, she finds herself stuck between a rock and a hard place. Pride does not pay the bills.
As they get to know one another, there’s far more to Oliver Whimsy than she or anyone else had imagined.
What heartache is Oliver trying so desperately to hide from?
And why was he so determined to buy the cottages?
Lexi is on a mission to find out…



MY THOUGHTS

So charming, what is not to love when you live in a brilliant cottage on the boardwalk overlooking the breathtaking sea. Going out your front door, the sea spray cools you and the view is amongst the best you’ve ever seen.
Lexi Davies seems to be living the charmed life, living on the boardwalk in a cottage and renting out the other two is the perfect supplemental income for her. It’s also the last link to her mother she has left as they were owned by her mother and passed onto to her.
When she finds out her father has sold them out from under her, she is more than devastated.
Sold to a Scotsman, Oliver has his reasons for buying them and it’s actually a pretty good one.
Would it be weird to start to have romantic feelings for him? Would he think it was weird? Would she lose her friendship that is newly started? Ugh, so much to think about, should she try to take that first step?
When something unexpected happens in her family will she embrace the changes, or will it be a hinderance to all she has accomplished so far?
A heartwarming rom com about the choices you make not only affecting yourself but those closest to you. Warmth, family, choices, personal growth and friendships all blossom in the gorgeous book.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Georgina Troy is the bestselling author of uplifting romance series. Her stories are perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore and Heidi Swain.

Set on her beautiful home island of Jersey, her books showcase the caring, sometimes quirky islanders and their willingness to help newcomers and each other during times of struggle. They celebrate friendship, family and close-knit community, and she has been described as having an amazing knack for creating warm and emotional stories with wonderful characters.

Her novels explore what it’s like to navigate a new beginning, discovering lost family members and the unexpected excitement of second chances.

Georgina loves getting to know her readers, and you can follow her on social media or on her website.

Have a lovely day. Thank you for stopping in.

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Blog Tour for The Spiced Cocoa Café by Harper Graham

THE SPICED COCOA CAFÉ BY HARPER GRAHAM

About the book

‘Tis the season when sparks fly…

🎄🎁🍫☃️

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 = 🔥

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 holidays—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 her—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.

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Sugar and Spite (A Witch City Mystery)

304 pages Publisher Kensington Cozies Publication date October 28, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

There’s no place like Salem, Massachusetts—aka “the witch city”—for Halloween. As residents embrace their historic heritage to celebrate the season, WICH-TV program director Lee Barrett is assigned the decadent task of highlighting the village’s delectable sweet shops—only to learn that some revelers prefer deadly tricks over delicious treats . . .

Casa del Chocolate is one of Salem’s most charming boutique candy shops, making it a perfect profile story. Although preoccupied with her own personal sweet news—Lee and her detective husband Pete Mondello are expecting a bundle of joy—she cheerfully agrees to interview the chocolatier. Since becoming pregnant, the radiant and exhilarated mother-to-be has discovered that she is finally free of the unwanted haunting “visions” she has endured since childhood.

Shirley Parker inherited Casa del Chocolate, housed in her beautiful ancestral home on the waterfront, continuing her family’s sweet tradition of conjuring magical treats for the folks of Salem. Mesmerized by the delightful chocolate scented aromas filling the air while touring the kitchen, Lee is shocked when she stumbles upon the murdered body of Barney Bingham, Shirley’s estranged husband.

As the police focus their suspicions on Shirley, Lee learns that many people had reasons for wanting Barney dead. Now, with help from Pete, tarot reader River North, and clairvoyant gentleman cat O’Ryan, as well as some new feline friends, Lee must unmask the true killer—and cope with the sudden return of her troubling “visions”. . .

MY THOUGHTS

Sugar and Spite is chocolate themed and who can resist delicious chocolate at Halloween or any time really.
Taking place in Salem, Mass television reporter, Lee Barrett is assigned the task of visiting candy shops during the Halloween season and reporting on them. Can’t beat that especially when free candy is thrown into the mix.


Lee and her husband detective husband Pete Mondello are expecting their first baby and that chocolate is going to be extra tasty. All thoughts of chocolate tasting are quickly forgotten when a body is found in cold storage in the chocolate shop.


When the body turns out to be the estranged husband of the owner, Shirley Parker we find out there are many who may have wanted him dead as he seemed to make enemies wherever he went.
Along with her husband Pete and many others helping to solve this Halloween mystery this wraps up with a satisfying conclusion.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

About the author

Carol J. Perry is the author of three cozy mystery series. Salem Massachusetts provides the background for her Witch City Mystery series–and is the city where Carol was born–on Halloween eve! Carol and her husband, Dan, now live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, and the Sunshine State provides the setting for her paranormal Haunted Haven Mystery series. Her newest series, Wicked Salem Mysteries is a “spin-off” of the Witch City books, with many of the original characters, but with a fresh point of view. All of the books feature murders, of course, and each one has the expected cast of animals. Watch for Finn, a friendly Golden Retriever and Toby a sweet black Lab. O’Ryan, a clairvoyant gentleman cat is multi talented, and you’ll enjoy meeting a pair of outdoor cats, Bogie and Bacall, along with Frankie, a white cat, who seems to wander through some of the stories whenever she feels like it.

Thank you for stopping in. Happy Wednesday!

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A Sea View Christmas: (A Holiday Regency Historical Novella with Sisters and Second Chance Romance)(On Devonshire Shores) 

240 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date September 2, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

The holiday stirs up excitement as fondly remembered guests come to stay and acquaintances grow into more. . . .

With a promise to her youngest sister, Sarah Summers declares that this year’s Christmas at Sea View will exceed all expectations. But an upcoming trip to Scotland–and the prospect of becoming reacquainted with dashing widower Callum Henshall–blows a flurry of doubts into her mind. Sarah had discouraged his attentions before yet soon finds herself once again torn between attraction and duty as alluring thoughts of a second chance at love weave their way into her practical heart.

Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Georgiana eagerly anticipates the exciting Christmas of her dreams after last year’s dull, disappointing holiday filled with endless chores. She enjoys all the promised parties, music, and dancing, but is taken by surprise when young love comes knocking. Does the festive romance of a Sea View Christmas hold the key to a happily-ever-after for both sisters?

Spend the holiday season with the Summers sisters on the charming Devonshire coast, where family bonds are strengthened, love is rekindled, and Christmas joy abounds.

MY THOUGHTS

What an absolutely lovely book A Sea View Christmas is. It is the last book in the On Devonshire Shores series. I’d recommend reading the series in order as each book builds off of the previous one.

I loved the whole series, the location and the characters. The sisters show so much growth and maturation, and I loved seeing these godly women have the support of their family in all they’ve done.

The books are full of laughter, compassion and a few tears along the way. We have a book devoted to each of the sisters.
Family bonds are strengthened, and we see a second chance at love occurring.
This holiday regency explores the customs involving Christmas time and romance and is a true delight. Though I am sorry to see the series end I greatly look forward to the next book by the author.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit http://www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information.

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