Review: 'Candlelight at Christmas' by Katie Fforde (2016)

Fenella and Rupert are organising the perfect Christmas, surrounded by their friends in their beautiful Somerby house.
Until Fenella gets a phone call from her ghastly parents-in-law asking if they can join them for the holiday. Fenella couldn't possibly refuse and besides, it could be worse.
But when they arrive and the house is suddenly plunged in darkness thanks to a power cut, Fenella knows she has her work cut out to keep everyone happy and pull off the perfect Christmas feast.
The Christmas season wouldn't be a good one without some great short stories to get us in a festive mood! Last year I really enjoyed author Katie Fforde's 'A Christmas in Disguise' and this year she is once again treating us to another Christmas-themed novella, 'Candlelight at Christmas.' This short story focuses on Fenella and Rupert Gainsborough who are celebrating Christmas with friends and family at their lovely home, Somerby. Fenella is dreading the arrival of her parents-in-law, who only seem to be able to complain about everything, and won't be satisfied. Unfortunately this Christmas seems to have quite a few surprises in store for them, making it even more challenging for Fenella to guarantee a merry Christmas for everyone....
Even though this is only the second year in which I've enjoyed a Katie Fforde festive short story, I wouldn't mind this turning into a yearly tradition! Katie's writing immediately got me feeling all festive and I honestly loved joining Fenella and Rupert in the lead-up to Christmas. I read this short story as a stand-alone because I'm not familiar with the books the characters first appeared in, but enough background information is given to still understand and enjoy the story. I specifically warmed to Meggie and Etienne, two young people who are both at Somerby for the holidays, and I really enjoyed the small plotline that focuses on them. 
If you are in the mood for a quick festive read then I can highly recommend picking this up. It has that warm and cosy feeling, a gorgeous setting, interesting characters, some romantic sparks, and that overall lovely Christmas touch. I've once again been impressed by author Katie Fforde's writing and it's going to be a new year's resolution of mine to definitely read some of her other works next year. On the whole, 'Candlelight at Christmas' is a stunning festive read; a short story you won't regret making time for, even if it's just to sit down and have a sweet escape from all the holiday preparation madness...!

Rating:9/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: 'A Christmas in Disguise' by Katie Fforde (2015)

When Jo’s friend Andi asks if she’ll stand in to cook Christmas lunch for her employer, Jo reluctantly agrees. She knows Andi will lose her job if she doesn’t, and wants to help out her friend.
Jo is nervous because Andi’s boss is a well-known celebrity diva, who outright refuses to have anyone but Andi cook for her. But she also insists Andi wears full chef's whites so the girls think they’ll get away with it … it’s the perfect Christmas disguise.
But when Jo runs into one of the guests - good looking and very smart Anthony - things get even more complicated…
First of all, Merry Christmas to everyone! :) Christmas is the perfect time of year for so many things, butone of them is definitely short stories. I love reading a great novella or short story every day of the year, but around Christmas time these quick reads are a great way of cheering yourself up on a winter's day or to get into the festive mood! Last year, author Katie Fforde released a collection of Christmas stories titled 'A Christmas Feast' and this year she is treating us to another story filled with holiday cheer, namely 'A Christmas in Disguise.' I always enjoy Katie's works, so definitely looked forward to checking out this short story in the weeks before Christmas!
When Jo is asked for a Christmas favour by her best friend Andi, she can't help but say 'yes'. Andi works as a chef for Caroline, a celebrity diva who is never done with her demands and wants a Christmas dinner made by Andi. However, Andi wants to go and visit her family, so Jo, who is also a trained chef, decides to go in disguise and pretend to be Andi for the day. However, Jo never expected to run into handsome Anthony, who also asks her for a favour, and before Jo knows it she finds herself in all kinds of trouble...
'A Christmas in Disguise' is another lovely festive short story by author Katie Fforde and a great read to pick up during the cold December days. It can be a bit tricky to really write a short story with characters that leave an impression, characters you warm to, because you only have a limited amount of space to do so. However, Katie Fforde really managed to do just that in this novella, making it a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience!
Protagonist Jo is a trained chef who works as a hotel receptionist and volunteers at an animal shelter for dogs. During the holiday season, Jo's best friend Andi needs some help to take over her job as a chef so she can go home to her family. Jo wants to help out her friend, but has no idea what exactly she has gotten herself into. I really liked the storyline and it had moments that made me laugh and a good dose of romance as well. 'A Christmas in Disguise' is a sparklingly fun short story, perfect to pick up in the lead-up to Christmas if you're looking for a quick and entertaining festive read!

Rating:9,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: 'Sand in My Shoes' by Jenny Harper (2015)

Headteacher Nicola Arnott prides herself on her independence. She has successfully juggled motherhood and career, coping with early widowhood by burying her emotions somewhere deep inside herself. When a cancer scare shakes her out of her careful approach to life, she finds herself thinking wistfully of her first love, a young French medical student. 
She decides to revisit the sleepy French town she remembers from her teenage years – and is astonished to meet up with Luc again. The old chemistry is still there – but so is something far more precious: a deep and enduring friendship. 
Can it turn into true love?
Summer wouldn't be summer without some fun and quick short stories to read during an hour or two in the garden in the sunshine, enjoying a breeze on the balcony, or spending a day on the beach! Earlier this year I was part of the blog tour for author Jenny Harper's novel 'People We Love'; a book which I really enjoyed (click here to read my review). When Jenny contacted me, asking whether I would be interested in reading and reviewing her summer novella 'Sand in My Shoes' (which was released as an e-book on the 4th of July) I straight away said yes. I managed to find the time to squeeze in this short and quick summer read and am excited to share my review with all of you today!
Nicola Arnott has been through some difficult periods in her life, mainly becoming a widow and single mum at a young age after the completely unexpected death of her husband. Yet, Nicola managed to raise her daughter and build up a career for herself, leading a calm and careful life. So, when her life is shaken up by a cancer scare, Nicola decides she deserves a break. She goes back to the French small town of Arcachon where she spent some wonderful summers when she was a teenager. It also makes her think of her first love, French medical student Luc. Nicola doesn't expect to run into Luc again, but when she does it raises a few questions. Will they be able to pick things up from where they left it all those years ago, or has too much happened to the both of them...?
I really enjoyed this short story with a summer feel by author Jenny Harper. The story focuses on a fascinating protagonist whom I straight away liked; Nicola has dealt with a lot of things in her life and after a recent cancer scare she decides to take a break from it all. While there's usually not a lot of space and time in short stories to really provide the reader with a lot of detail, I really felt like I got to know Nicola and was curious to see what this trip to France would lead to. The story also includes some flashbacks, going back to the time when Nicola was a teenager and fell in love with French student Luc. The chemistry between the two of them is definitely there, and I loved being able to go back in time to see what happened to young Nicola and what this period meant to her. 
Jenny Harper's writing is a true pleasure to get lost it and really suitable for a quick and entertaining but also touching summer read like this one. I already feel like I had some sort of connection with the characters and wouldn't mind reading more about them! The setting of the short story is perfect for a summer read and will make you long for a holiday to the beautiful town of Arcachon yourself! Overall, 'Sand in My Shoes' is a thoroughly enjoyable, fast-paced and touching read by an author whose work I am starting to enjoy more and more. A great novella to pick up if you're looking for a quick summer read, and I personally already can't wait to pick up Jenny Harper's next novel!

Rating:9/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Tour: 'A Piece of Cake' by Trisha Ashley

Professional cake-maker Kate doesn’t have time for a man in her life, especially a boorish, sports-mad one like Wes. He’s definitely not her type.

But at her best friends wedding, when one crisis follows another, Kate begins to wonder whether she’s misjudged Wes.

Can love be the sweetest thing of all?

A warm, witty and romantic short story from Sunday Times top 5 best-selling author Trisha Ashley.

I’m really excited to be part of a rather yummy and special blog tour today! On the 28th of August a special e-book short story written by Trisha Ashley was released titled ‘A Piece of Cake.’ At the end of last year I got the chance to read and review Trisha Ashley’s novel ‘Wish Upon a Star’ which I thoroughly enjoyed, so I couldn’t wait to check out this new short story. I also have a delicious recipe from Trisha herself to share with all of you today, so be sure to check that out for some well-deserved weekend treats!

Kate is a professional cake-maker who is completely focused on her work, which means she doesn’t have the time to find a boyfriend. When she is asked by her best friend Laura to make the cake for her wedding, she has no idea Laura wants to set Kate up with her groom’s best man, Wes. However, Wes and Kate already know one another and Kate is convinced their different lifestyles do not mix, especially since Wes is a famous footballer who loves to party. But at Laura’s wedding, Kate can’t help but bump into Wes and she starts to doubt whether she should give him another chance... 

This short story is a wonderful treat which is perfect to be read in just one sitting. Just like Trisha Ashley’s books, the story is well-written and captivating, and has a lot of yummy cakes and delicious treats in it.  I really liked the friendship between Kate and Laura, and the sparks between Kate and Wes were definitely there! I would really like to see a full-length novel starring these characters, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for that. ‘A Piece of Cake’ is a quick read, a warm and yummy story to enjoy when you have a few extra minutes! 

Rating:

9/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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A special recipe from Trisha Ashley!
Chocolate Blancmange Rabbit Recipe: Trisha Ashley
I have one of those lovely Victorian glass rabbit-shaped jelly moulds, but the plastic ones do just as well. 
      You could use a packet of instant chocolate blancmange mix, but it’s very easy to make your own, and for a pint you need:
1 pint of milk 4 level tablespoons of cornflour 3 level tablespoons of sugar 1 level tablespoon of cocoa powder.
Method:
1) Blend the cornflour into a paste with a little bit of the milk, add the cocoa powder and stir well.
2) Bring the rest of the milk to the boil, and then pour it slowly onto the cornflour mixture, stirring or whisking all the time.
3) Return the mixture to the pan and bring to the boil, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, which it does quite quickly.
4) Cook for a couple more minutes and then remove from the heat and stir in the sugar.  (This is all stirring stuff.)
5) Dampen the rabbit mould and pour in the mixture, tapping the sides to remove air bubbles.
6) When cool, put in the fridge overnight.
7) To turn out, gently pull back the blancmange from the edges of the mould with your fingertips to break the seal.  Put a plate on top, then invert.
As well as at Easter, this pale brown, trembling rabbit goes down very well at children's birthday parties.  If you have an Alice in Wonderland party, you can omit the cocoa powder to make a white rabbit, but use vanilla-flavoured sugar.
      I always say, there's nothing like a Mad Hatter's teaparty…

Thanks for sharing, Trisha!