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Lila Evans and her friends book into a cabin in the lead up to Christmas. Lila has no family so her friends are very important. Yet their lives force them to cut short their winter break leaving Lila alone. She has made friends with the lonely owner of the cabin, widow Eleanor and local coffee shop owner Theo. But her friendship with Theo is hindered by his secrecy.

Jenny Hale has put me right in the mood for Christmas (just as she did with Christmas At Silver Falls). The setting and weather descriptions give a warm and wintry feel to the book, and the romantic plot makes it a feelgood story to fall in love with.

Theo is dealing with issues that he is not quite ready to share. His secrecy is intriguing and draws the reader into the plot as we want to discover more. This is in direct contrast to Lila’s openness and gentle manner. I found myself torn between wanting Theo to open up and wanting Lila to give him his privacy.

The loneliness of Lila, Theo and Eleanor is quite heartbreaking especially in the lead up to Christmas. There is an important message of thinking of others particularly during the festive season. I hope that the difficulties of 2020 will make us hug our loved ones a little closer and open our homes and hearts to lonely neighbours.

If you fancy a summer romance then why not try Jenny Hale’s The House on Firefly Beach.

Jenny Hale Media Kit:

Title: Christmas at Fireside Cabins

Publication Day – Oct 14th 2020

Author:  Jenny Hale

BUY LINKS

Amazon: https://geni.us/B086DF3TP5Social

Apple: https://apple.co/2vSCZch

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2QPSzN3

Google: https://bit.ly/2QR2J05

Description:

Escape to the idyllic small town of Pinewood Hills in this enchanting romance, about falling in love under the mistletoe with a sprinkle of Christmas magic…

For Lila Evans, Christmas is the toughest time of year––a heartbreaking reminder of losing her father, and just how lonely she is… This year, she’s organized a blissful getaway with her closest friends: just the remedy for the December blues.

The countryside resort of Fireside Cabins, tucked away in the snowy Tennessee hills, seems like this year’s perfect setting to get into the festive spirit. But it’s far from a winter wonderland––the crumbling cottage is falling apart, and the owner, a widow named Eleanor Finely, confesses that the cabins are on the brink of closure. Lila and her friends should pack their bags right there and then, but Lila can’t bear to leave the tearful elderly woman. She clearly has no one, and Lila, more than anyone, knows how that feels.

In search of holiday cheer, the women find a local coffee shop. But the rugged, surly owner Theo Perry has an apparent aversion to Christmas, seeming downright angry when Lila asks for a peppermint latte. No one in the area knows who he is––but it’s clear he’s running from something.

Yet there’s more to this small town than Theo’s frosty reception. As much as his coldness infuriates her, Lila can’t deny that on the rare occasions when he does smile, it feels like coming home. Plus, the cabins are just calling for some festive sparkle.

And, unexpectedly, Pinewood Hills could hold a new beginning for Lila… But can she save Fireside Cabins in time for Christmas? With a dusting of festive magic, spiced apple cider and sugarplum pie, could this be the first holiday she doesn’t spend alone?

Indulge in this glittering page-turner that might just prove, at this magical time of year, that almost anything is possible. Christmas at Fireside Cabins is the perfect holiday treat for fans of Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery and Sheila Roberts.

Author Bio:

Jenny Hale is a USA Today, Amazon, and international bestselling author of romantic contemporary fiction. Her books have sold worldwide, have been translated into multiple languages, and adapted for television. Her novels Coming Home for Christmas and Movie Guide Epiphany Award winner Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses are Hallmark Channel original movies.

She was included in Oprah Magazine’s “19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away” and Southern Living’s “30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now.” Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. Jenny is at work on her next novel, delighted to be bringing even more heartwarming stories to her readers.

When she isn’t writing, or heading up her romantic fiction imprint Harpeth Road, she can be found running around her hometown of Nashville with her husband, two boys, and their labradoodle, taking pictures–her favorite pastime.

Author Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.itsjennyhale.com/

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jhaleauthor

Social worker Hannah has had an unhappy life, growing up in care herself and now dealing with vulnerable children. So when she goes on a date with Alex, she is thrilled to meet a kindred spirit and finally feels like her life has some happiness. But is Alex really as perfect as he appears…?

First Date is one of those books that sweeps you into the plot immediately and then has you want to yell as the lead character ignores the warning signs and the sage advice of her friends. I found myself clenching my jaw with frustration as Hannah repeatedly ignores the clues that something’s not right.

Hannah is a likeable character, dedicated to her job helping others. I understand her difficult past and recent break up have made her vulnerable and I wanted her to find happiness. Her love blindness to Alex’s faults was completely exasperating yet I could see how desperate she was to cling to the ideal of perfection that he initially offered.

Alex was completely overwhelming, although we never see things from his perspective. He has also had a troubled past but this has manifested itself in a different way to Hannah and made him obsessive.

I felt that the ending fizzled out a little bit before wham! the final couple of chapters made my jaw drop and hands rub together in glee. No spoilers!

Overall, First Date will have you enjoyably fizzing with tension.

I have reviewed other books by Sue Watson, including The Sister In Law and The Empty Nest.

Book Description:

She’s been waiting her whole life to meet a man like Alex. But he’s been waiting too. And once he has her, he’ll never let her go…

Hannah has done everything to make sure her life is safe and secure. A long way from her unstable childhood growing up in foster care, she’s content with her sweet, little, messy apartment and her satisfying job as a social worker. She quietly worries that, aged 36, she might never fall in love. But otherwise her life is where she wants it to be.

Until, encouraged by her best friend to join a dating app, she meets Alex. He’s irresistibly handsome. He loves the same music as her. The same food as well. They both dream of travelling the world but agree they’d be equally happy escaping to a cottage by the beach in Devon. Both of them would love to own a Labrador one day. It’s like he’s made for her. It’s like he’s too good to be true.

Hannah’s friends aren’t so sure about him. But Hannah thinks he’s perfect.

Which is good. Because Alex knows she’s perfect for him too. In fact, she’s exactly the girl he’s been looking for…

And nothing Hannah’s done to make her life safe will ever be enough.

A gripping and suspenseful psychological thriller about dark obsession and internet dating. Fans of The Wife Between Us, Friend Request and Gone Girl will adore this unputdownable twisted love story.

Author Bio:

Sue Watson was a TV Producer at the BBC until she wrote her first book and was hooked.

Now a USA Today bestselling author, Sue has written sixteen novels, and many have been translated into several languages. Sue is now exploring the darker side of life with her latest thrillers OUR LITTLE LIES, THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR, THE EMPTY NEST, THE SISTER-IN-LAW and FIRST DATE out on October 16th.

Originally from Manchester, Sue now lives with her family in Worcestershire where much of her day is spent writing – okay, procrastinating, eating too much confectionery, and watching ‘My 600lb Life,’ on the sofa.

more info visit Sue’s website; http://www.suewatsonbooks.com/

Sue would love to meet you on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/suewatsonbooks

Follow Sue on Twitter @suewatsonwriter

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3iFPlXs

Apple: https://apple.co/30CT0zP

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2F0FUny

Google: https://bit.ly/3klF2Kw

Britain in 1940. The Blitz is anticipated with dread. Children are evacuated from cities, men go to war. Three women step up to work for their king and country. Lizzie plots plane raids, Diana mans barrage balloons and Julia is a secretary in the war office.

But on the personal side, Lizzie has a heartbreaking past, Diana has led a quiet life due to her father’s shellshock, and Julia is battling loneliness with her husband fighting abroad and her children living safely in the countryside.

Under A Sky On Fire is a wonderful historical novel about the Blitz in war torn London. I enjoyed the developing friendship between the three main female characters. The horror of war is counterbalanced by the Blitz spirit of the women and other characters. As a mother and wife, the danger and fear was really easy to imagine so I felt an emotional connection with the female leads.

Each of the women’s lives has changed dramatically since the start of the war especially in the disruption of their normal family lives. However, Lizzie and Diana have a chance to find love and happiness if only they can prevent the past getting in the way. The romances are very different but are both affected by the drama of war.

Winston Churchill makes an appearance but it is the everyday life of London that is the star of this book. There is a natural and realistic feel to the writing and plot so I feel that the author Suzanne Kelman has done a great job with her research.

SUZANNE KELMAN Media Kit:

Title:  UNDER A SKY ON FIRE

Publication Day: Oct 13th 2020

Author:   Suzanne Kelman

Buy  Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08CY521H9Social

Apple: http://ow.ly/Gr4650AyHac

Kobo: http://ow.ly/YIPn50AyH8i

Google: http://ow.ly/YqVx50AyNJA

Description:

The child stood in the road wearing a blue flannel nightie, her feet bare and dirt-splattered. Her blonde flyaway hair was golden, aglow from the fires that lit her up from behind. Stumbling over, Lizzie reached her side. The little girl’s eyes were closed, her palms facing upwards. If she’d been in church, you would have thought she was praying.

September 1940, London

As the German Luftwaffe begin a terrifying bombing campaign that will come to be known as the Blitz, thousands are evacuated to safety. But Lizzie Mackenzie finds herself heading towards London.

She knows she must help in the war effort. But she has another reason for leaving the security of her Scottish village: the illegitimate child she gave up for adoption nearly five years before is somewhere in the city. And – as the bombs rain down – she will stop at nothing to find her and make sure her little girl is safe.

Then she finds herself trapped in a dark theatre during a bombing raid, where she meets Pilot Officer Jack Henson. Against all her instincts, she falls in love. But what chance is there for that love to flourish? Because if he discovers the secret shame of her past, he may never forgive her. And with Jack facing the enemy every day in the sky, and Lizzie’s job guiding pilots into battle – life and love has never felt so fragile.

Until a chance encounter with a little orphaned girl changes everything, forcing Lizzie to ask herself what truly matters. Because, in the darkest days of war, every life counts. And – when tragedy strikes – saving one child’s life might just give Lizzie a reason to survive…

An unforgettable story about sacrifice, love and heartbreak set in World War Two London during the Blitz. If you liked All the Light We Cannot See, My Name is Eva and A Fire Sparkling, you will love Under a Sky on Fire.

Author Bio:

Suzanne Kelman is an Amazon International Bestselling author in America, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Her WW2 historical fiction books “A View Across the Rooftops” and “When We Were Brave,” together have sold over 150,000 copies and are published by Bookouture – an imprint for Hachette U.K. Her third WW2 Book, Under A Sky on Fire, publishes October 13th, 2020. Kelman’s books have also been translated into five languages.

She is also the author of the bestselling book, “The Rejected Writers’ Book Club”, published by Lake Union, which is the first book in the Southlea Bay series. Other books in the series include, “Rejected Writers Take the Stage” and “The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding”.

Kelman is an award-winning writer/screenwriter whose accolades include the Best Comedy Feature Screenplay Award from the L.A. International Film Festival, the Gold Award from the California Film Awards, and the Van Gogh Award from the Amsterdam Film Festival.

In 2015 her script, Held, was recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures and was shortlisted to the top ten in the Academy Of Motion Pictures Nichols Fellowship competition.

As well as a screenwriter and a published author, Suzanne is also a playwright, and her award-winning comedy play, “Over My Dead Body”, had its World Premiere at Outcast Theatre in Washington, Fall 2019.

Born in the United Kingdom, Suzanne now resides in Washington State.

Please sign up for her newsletter to stay in touch – https://www.suzannekelmanauthor.com

Author Social Media Links:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/suzkelman

Website:  https://www.suzannekelmanauthor.com