Relentless by Cassia Leo

"Sometimes, letting someone into your heart is the bravest risk to take.

Claire Nixon is a twenty-year-old college dropout with a secret she’ll never tell. Then she meets sexy Adam Parker. Claire knows the flirting is harmless, but guys like Adam mean trouble. Then a seemingly innocent comment spurs a bet between them: if Adam can get Claire to reveal the secret that made her leave her college and her life behind, she has to re-enroll. 

Claire’s sure she can win. She's perfected the art of forgetting her past. But she isn't prepared for Adam's relentless pursuit, and she's definitely not prepared when her first love, rock-star Chris Knight – and her heartbreaking secret ­– comes banging down her door…"

I had previously read one book by Cassia Leo, Black Box, which I had loved as a beautifully tender, soul-clenching story (review can be found here).  There are similarities to the first of this Shattered Hearts series (as published by Transworld in the UK and Australia), as although it is a love story, there are serious undercurrents and damaged souls as well as shattered hearts.

The Shattered Hearts Series is stated to be an adult contemporary romance series, and whilst it feels a little bit like a YA book, it is not intended for readers under the age of 18 due to strong language, drug reference and sexual content (of which there is quite a lot!).

Cassia Leo has a way of writing which draws you in and it is so easy to visualise the scene playing out on the page in front of you, almost as though you're sat watching a movie.  The characters are memorable and special and the storyline is strong (although there was one element that nagged at me, and I do not want to give anything away so I will just say that when Claire's secret does come out in a fairly public way, I could not believe that nothing was made of it in the media given that Chris, a rock-star, clearly had a huge fan base and no doubt, media, following.  It clearly was not the way the story was going to go, but it just bugged me given the world we live in now).  

I loved the way the relationship was built between Adam and Claire as they together battle their demons and, at this stage, there was no doubt in my mind as to who I wanted Claire to end up with.

I was very glad to have the the second in the series, Pieces of You, on my kindle so that I could drive straight into that next instalment.  

Thank you to NetGalley and Transworld for the free copy of Relentless which was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Horace the Haggis and The Christmas Mystery by Sally Magnusson

I am ashamed to say that this guest post by Ms G has been sat in my inbox since before Christmas.  I apologise to both Ms G and to Janne at Black and White Publishing for the delay in posting this review.

Ms G is a wonderful lady and mummy to three who hosts two blogs - a UK family lifestyle blog, Goriami Family, and a lifestyle, music and parenting blog, Dancing in My Wellies.

First things first....what is Horace the Haggis and The Christmas Mystery about:

"Horace the haggis gets a terrible shock when he visits his friends on Christmas Eve. Every one of them has vanished. Worse, pinned to each house is a note with the single letter V - the personal sign of the most feared gangster in Acre Valley. What has happened to Martha, Ferdy, Dijon, Doc Leaf and Professor Nut? 

Can Horace and Major Mole find them in time? And what if the dreaded Don Volio should discover our lovable hero in the Darkling Forest with only his hair-gel for a weapon? Let's hope the Boss doesn't get too ANGRY. Introducing the scariest, wildest, funniest family in Acre Valley, and a new friend for Martha Mouse. Watch out, too, for another danger lurking in the snow. Horace's two oldest enemies are back - and they badly want haggis for their Christmas dinner."

And now, what did Ms G and her son think:

My 6 year old son is a huge fan of books, and loves to read, so we were delighted to get the opportunity to review Horace the Haggis and The Christmas Mystery by Sally Magnusson. This is the third book in the series, and I have to firstly say that I think my son will love this book a little more once he has read the first two books! While the book doesn't require you to have read the first books, I think there would be a better association with the main character and the need to evade the farmer! 

This is a great fun book following the great mystery of Horace's missing friends! Horace goes to visit his friends only to discover they're each missing from their homes, and instead there is a red "V" marking their homes! The mystery unravels as we discover the V is the mark of Don Volio, but what has he done with Horace's friends! The adventure resolves happily, and the story teaches that people can change if they want to, and perhaps we ought not jump to conclusions or think the worst of people. In fact Don Volio helps fend off the nasty farmer who is attempting to cook Horace for tea! The story ends with a big party for all the animal friends, and a sighting of Father Christmas!

The book is beautifully illustrated, and I have found myself sat looking at the illustrations repeatedly, each time smiling at the detail in each image, and both of my sons have been absolutely captivated by the illustrations. 

The book is written in chapters, making it ideal for a young reader to manage to read alone. However the books is short enough it could be read to a child either in one sitting or over a few nights as a bed time story. Although it has a festive theme, Horace the Haggis and the Christmas Mystery could be enjoyed year round!

Cora's Christmas Kiss by Alison May

"Can you expect a perfect Christmas after the year from hell? 

Cora and Liam have both experienced horrible years that have led them to the same unlikely place – spending December working in the Grotto at Golding’s department store.

Under the cover of a Father Christmas fat suit and an extremely unflattering reindeer costume, they find comfort in sharing their tales of woe during their bleak staffroom lunch breaks. 

But is their new-found friendship just for Christmas? Or have they created something deeper, something that could carry them through to a hopeful new year?

Another heart-warming Christmas novella from Alison May! Keep your eyes peeled for characters you may recognise from Alison’s previous novella, Holly’s Christmas Kiss."

This is my absolute favourite Christmas read from the 2014/2015 Christmas period, and I'm just sorry that I didn't get to it sooner.  I read this speedily before the twelth night so that it was my last festive read, and I clearly saved the best until last.

I loved the way that Alison May structures this novella, so that there are flashbacks interspersed with the present day as Cora and Liam get to know who the other really is.  I adored the time that 'Rudy' and 'Father Christmas' spent together in the present day; it put a massive smile on my face.

The story is told in such a simple way but it is utterly fantastic.  I was drawn in right from the word go and the main characters are instantly likeable.  With a title like 'Cora's Christmas Kiss', it obviously is not going to have the most unpredictable storyline but it is a wonderful romantic tale contained in the perfect novella.  

There is so much packed into this novella of 179 pages; it made me smile (so my jaw hurt), it made me frown and it made me cry!  I cannot say anything more other than I absolutely loved it (words cannot do it justice - go and read it!!!) To make a reader this happy within 179 pages is quite an achievement! Another delight from the publishers and wonderful authors at Choc Lit.

Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cage by Rebecca Raisin

"You are invited to the wedding of the year!

Snow is falling thick and fast outside the Gingerbread Café and inside, its owner Lily is planning the wedding of the year. Her wedding! She never dreamt it would happen, but this Christmas, she’ll be marrying the man of her dreams - in a Christmas-card-perfect ceremony!

The gingerbread is baking, the dress is fitted and the mistletoe’s in place – for once, everything’s going to plan. That is until her mother-in-law arrives... Suddenly, Lily’s famous cool is being tested like never before and her dream wedding is crumbling before her eyes.

In the blink of a fairylight, the Gingerbread Café has been thrown into chaos! Lily thought she had this wedding wrapped up, but with so much to do before she says ‘I do’, can Lily get to the church on time – and make this Christmas sparkle after all?"

This book is the third book in The Gingerbread Cafe series, but the first that I had read.  I certainly do not think it is absolutely necessary that you need to have read the first two to enjoy this book, although (as always) it probably helps with the character development and as the story does heavily follow on, perhaps it would have been useful.

I found this book to be extremely "american" which was the main negative for me, but that is an entirely personal preference and you should not let that alone put you off.  However, for me, I think this took something away from my enjoyment of the book, because I found myself constantly thinking about how this was a book rather than being so absorbed into it that you lose yourself; that never really happened for me with this book.

The story itself did start to capture me towards the middle/end.  I liked the way that each chapter was a countdown to the wedding, so that the reader joins the story ten days before the wedding where the finishing touches are the only things between the happy couple and their perfect wedding......that is until her future in-laws arrive!  The lengths that Olivia went to were kind of unbelievable, and it wasn't until the change in Olivia's character that it all started to feel more 'real'.

There is also an element of sadness to the book, and it did bring a tear to my eye!  The ending was sweet and did make me smile.  It wasn't that I hated this book, it is a light and easy read, but for me unfortunately, it wasn't a book that I utterly adored.

Christmas for One by Amanda Prowse

"As a child, Meg always dreamed of the perfect Christmas... 

This year, she can make it come true for her own little boy. There will be turkey and all the trimmings, a glittering tree, and a stocking hung up by a roaring fire. Who cares if there's no devoted husband in the picture? She and Lucas will be just fine on their own. 

But then a chance meeting with a stranger in New York unravels everything she's planned. Will Meg finally get everything she wished for? Or will she be alone this Christmas after all?"

I must admit that I found it a little unbelievable that Meg, after everything she had been through, would be willing to spend Christmas separated from her son and I found Edd's "error of judgement" perhaps, ever so slightly, unforgivable, making it perhaps not the most perfect love story ever....

However, the cover is just gorgeous and the absolute epitome of Christmas - I mean, just look at it.  The descriptions of the food in the bakery reminded me of being captivated by a Jenny Oliver book and there are exquisitely beautiful descriptions which transform the world around you into somewhere magical and made me want to visit New York and be swept off my feet.  I read it in one day!

There is a wide-ranging cast of characters to enjoy in this lovely festive read and I recommend that you snuggle up with it this winter!  

This is the first Amanda Prowse book I have read, but it definitely will not be my last....

Baby It's Cold Outside by Kerry Barrett

"For better or much, much worse...

Esme and Jamie have finally got their perfect wedding day planned. Beautiful snowy landscape – check. Amazing venue – check. Stunning dress – check.

But when an avalanche seals off their gorgeous mountain hometown from the outside world, their dream day starts to look more like a nightmare. Especially when Jamie’s ex turns up on their doorstep with a surprise neither of them expected!

Whilst Esme’s magical powers can solve a lot of problems, it's starting to look like their big day is doomed! Is Esme and Jamie’s wedding simply not meant to be, or can they still make it down the aisle, against all the odds?"

This book is part of the Could it be Magic series, which I did not realise until I had started reading.  It definitely works as a stand alone book, but I did find myself wondering what I would know had I read the first two in the series (for example, Jamie and Esme's history?!) so it would have been nice to read the others from a depth/fulfillment of the characters point of view rather than as a necessity.

There is plenty of snow in this wintry delight which makes it the perfect magical and seasonal read.  And it truly is magical, as Esme and her family are witches (the nice variety) so it felt like a cross between Bewitched and Sabrina the Teenage Witch with all the spells and sparkles.

Whilst it took a while for me to warm up to Esme, there are plenty of characters to love (although it took me a while to start remembering exactly who was who).  Parker is pretty cute, and he is the one who, despite being only 5, brings the life lessons to this fun story.  

I enjoyed reading the uphill battle (after all the snow had come downhill) to pull of Esme and Jamie's perfect wedding.  As for the ending, well.....I will not say too much but ARGGGGHHHH!! It leaves you on a cliff hanger which indicates there will definitely be a fourth in this series!!

Thank you to Net Galley and Carina UK for the e-copy.

How the In-Laws Wrecked Christmas by Fiona Gibson

"A funny, festive short story from bestseller Fiona Gibson. Just the thing to curl up with on a cold winter night.

Christmas in the country. What could be better? All you need is one country house, one gorgeous boyfriend and a liberal dusting of snow. Right?

That’s what Anna thinks and she can’t wait for the festivities to start. But then she meets her gorgeous boyfriend’s awful parents. And their drunk friends. And she starts to hear all about a certain ex-wife. Suddenly this doesn’t look like a very merry Christmas after all…"

Given this is a short story, I found the characters to be well drawn and I really got into the story, albeit that it took be about half an hour to read!  

Ben's daughter is adorable and his parents are, of course, a complete nightmare, and as for the ex-wife: arggggh!!  I am sure a lot of people will be able to relate to some of the torture and dread which Anna experiences over Christmas in this delightful short story from Fiona Gibson.

The ending leaves some things to the imagination (including the nature of Anna's relationship with J) and in my opinion, easily leaves it open for a revisit to these characters in the future (and given how quickly I warmed to them, I would like that!)

This story obviously does not feature the ideal fairy tale Christmas but it is likely to include threads of many peoples reality!

I downloaded this book as a free book from Amazon - what a festive bargain!!

The Parisian Christmas Bake Off by Jenny Oliver

"Welcome to the most celebrated patisserie competition in Paris – ready, steady, bake!

Watching snowflakes settle on the Eiffel Tower, Rachel Smithson’s cosy English village feels very far way – as, thankfully, does her commitment-phobic ex, probably already kissing someone else under the mistletoe. But Rachel hasn’t come to Paris to mope she’s come to bake. Hard.

Because the search for Paris’s next patisserie apprentice is about to begin! And super-chef judge Henri Salernes is an infamously tough cookie. But Rachel isn’t about to let her confidence (or pastry) crumble. She’s got one week, mounds of melt-in-the-mouth macaroons and towers of perfect profiteroles to prove that she really is a star baker.

As well as clouds of flour, and wafts of chocolate and cinnamon, there’s definitely a touch of Christmas magic in the air… Rachel hasn’t come to Paris looking for a fairy-tale romance, but the city of love might gift-wrap her one anyway…

Not even a dusting of icing sugar could make The Parisian Christmas Bake Off a more perfect Christmas treat!"

This is the second Jenny Oliver book I have read within a month, and the second one that I will advise you not to read whilst you are hungry!  Jenny Oliver is the best at writing about the most delicious creations.  There is another theme that links the two books as both see someone leaving the comfort of their own home in the lead up to Christmas because of a man!  You can read my review of the equally wonderful The Little Christmas Kitchen here.

I loved this festive delight from Jenny Oliver, as she whisks us off to Paris to conjure up some Christmas magic.  It is set mainly in the lead up to Christmas, as Rachel tries to avoid all things Christmassy, but part of the story takes us to the following summer.  I have to say it isn't the MOST christmassy book I have ever read, but there is plenty of snow and some festivities along the way. However, in my opinion, it could definitely be enjoyed at any time of the year though!

You do not need to have watched (and loved) The Great British Bake Off to enjoy this book.  Yes, it involves a cooking competition but you meet some wonderful characters along the way and the cooking delights are an added bonus.  As a girl who loves cake, they left me wishing I had my own Rachel Smithson to whisk me up some of her fabulous creations.

I found The Parisian Christmas Bake Off to be an emotional journey.  My eyes welled up so many times that I lost count and there were times when I found myself full on blubbing!  Jenny Oliver manages to combine the light and fluffy cakes and romance with the hard realities of real life exceptionally well.  This book in particular focuses on the loss of a parent and the way it changes not only you but also your relationship with the surviving parent as well as the relationship you tell yourself is fine when really you know, deep down, that it is not fine.

I was worried that this book might be "overly French" but it isn't, it is just perfect as it is.  The ideal book to settle down with this Christmas in front of a fire, on the sofa, with a large mug of hot chocolate (with marshmallows and whipped cream) and a massive slice of cake.

If anything, this book ended too soon and I would have liked to have seen the ending elaborated slightly more.  I had not expected it to end so soon as the paperback I was reading had so many pages left but they are packed full of festive treats (a chat with Jenny, Jenny's childhood christmas memories, ten things Jenny loves about Christmas, some recipes from the book (!!!) and an extract from The Vintage Summer Wedding by Jenny Oliver)

Would you like to win yourself a copy of The Parisian Christmas Bake Off? Well it must be your lucky day, because a lovely lady at Carina UK has offered readers of Book - Love - Bug the chance to win a paperback copy this festive season. To be in with a chance of winning, follow the rafflecopter instructions below....

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A Family Christmas by Katie Flynn

"From the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Christmas to Remember. Two children go on a desperate journey to find their family

Jimmy Trewin and his little sister are devastated by their mother's death and horrified to find themselves entrusted to the far from tender care of a hated neighbour, Mrs Huxtable. They hope their father will rescue them when his ship comes into port but this does not happen and when Cyril Huxtable is seen by the children hiding "a wad of notes" away, a wad which subsequently disappears, they realise they are in deep trouble. Cyril accuses them of theft and threatens a terrible revenge so they decide to leave Liverpool and try to find their mother's family in Wales.

Soon, they meet Miss Trent, a school teacher who has been unfairly dismissed, and agree to join forces since Miss Trent also hopes to find relatives in Wales. But Cyril has promised to pursue them until they hand over his property, and soon they realise he has picked up their trail..."

This is what I would call a proper story, not all fairy tales and romance.  I would have liked to have known earlier in the story what decade this was set in because it wasn't obvious until quite a way in to the book (1930's into 1940's & WWII).  In addition, the synopsis (above) isn't actually totally accurate to the story of the book (in the description of what Cyril is seen hiding away) (which I guess is more of a comment for the publisher!).

If you're looking for a festive read, then this is not it (despite Christmas being in the title!) - but what the book is is a good traditional read that reminded me of a modernised Charles Dickens novel; the tale of two children left by their heartbroken widowed father with a wicked neighbour.  When the children cannot take any more, what results is a tale of their journey across the country in search of a family they can call their own.  

The story was interesting, and there are plenty of twists and turns along the way.  I got slightly hung up on the authors over use of the word "presently" which I have to admit did annoy me!  However, the characters were well drawn, and although the story jumps forward a couple of times (and it would have been nice to have seen the in-between moments), I very much enjoyed it.  I also liked the relationship between Jimmy and Mo, and the other relationships that are built as the book progresses.

The publishers have kindly offered five readers of Book - Love - Bug the chance to win a copy of A Family Christmas.  For the chance to win one of five copies, follow the rafflecopter instructions below.

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Christmas in the Snow by Karen Swan

No secret stays buried forever... 

In London, the snow is falling and Christmas is just around the corner - but Allegra Fisher barely has time to notice. She's pitching for the biggest deal of her career and can't afford to fail. And when she meets attractive stranger, Sam Kemp, on the plane to the meeting, she can't afford to lose her focus either. She learned to shut off her emotions long ago and only her sister and best friend Isobel knows why. But when Allegra finds herself up against Sam for the bid, their passion quickly turns sour. 

In Zermatt in the Swiss Alps, a long-lost mountain hut is discovered in the snow after sixty years and the last person expecting to become involved is Allegra - she hasn't even heard of the woman they found inside. But it soon becomes clear the two women are linked and, as she and Iz travel out to make sense of the mystery, hearts thaw and dark secrets are uncovered, long buried by the snow. 

With glamorous locations and heart-breaking twists, Christmas in the Snow is all you need in your stocking for a truly decadent Christmas holiday.  The perfect gift - even if it's just to yourself.

This book is the ultimate book to curl up with on a winters day in front of a roaring fire with a glass of wine and a box of chocolates.  Karen Swan is the queen of winter reads, and despite Christmas in the Snow having "Christmas" in the title, I would class this is more of a "winter read" as it is set in the month of December in the lead up to Christmas, and Christmas does not realllly feature until the last few pages of the book.  However, when Christmas does come, it is the perfect family Christmas, at long last.

I loved the idea of the Advent Calendar that Allegra and Isobel find in their mum's loft, and wish we had seen more of it in the earlier parts of the book. Whilst we see the sisters open the first door together on 1 December, we do not see it again until 14 December (other than the 'titles' at the beginning of certain chapters).  However, I guess this fits in with how Allegra grows throughout the book; in the first part of the book, she is so engrossed in her work that she doesn't even notice that Christmas is approaching whereas a dramatic shift will soon change everything in her world.  I liked the first part of "Allegra's life" but I loved the second part which emerges along with the dramatic shift.  

I am not a skier and I have never been to Zermatt but I love the descriptions (including the descriptions of waffles and crepes, being my weak spot and made me hungrier than I already was) and the vast array of characters are simply divine as they lead you on a complex journey that will not only hold your interest but sometimes you will gasp realising that you've been holding your breath for too long.  The twists and turns just keep on coming (like Legs and Iz descending the piste in Zermatt) and even when you think you've seen the last, there is more waiting for you round the corner.  Karen Swan has a fabulous style of writing; it is detailed and it immerses you in the story making you feel as though you are really there in the exotic (and in this case, frozen) locations.

I adored the ending, and the only negative thing I can say is that it ended too soon because I was so immersed that I wanted more!  Christmas in the Snow is a story of a love so strong that it could survive anything; "In a sea of people, my eyes will always look for you".  However, whilst there is romance, the book also has serious elements to it including early onset Alzheimer's which is absolutely heartbreaking.

I have my fingers crossed for a sequel in which Sam will fall in love with me.....but all in seriousness, I would love a sequel just so I can get some more of these fabulous characters!

And talking of sequels, Karen is currently editing the actual real life sequel to Christmas at Tiffany's (I hear that Summer at Tiffany's is due out in July) - eeeeek!!!!!