Book-Mad-Mum

  Estate agent Blythe lives in Holly Cross, and is just one sale away from being Agent of the Month, so when Sam comes to town looking for the perfect house in the perfect location she him his dream house which he promptly buys. The thing is, Sam hates Christmas and what Blythe hasn’t told him is that in December, Holly Cross transforms into the most festive village in the whole of the country! This was a really fun, easy read and definitely one that should be enjoyed during the festive period, with the tree lights twinkling, a glass of mulled wine or a warming hot chocolate and so Carols playing in the background! This will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart!

  The festive season is fast approaching and with that the Fairway Players in Lower Lockwood are preparing for their pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk in order to raise money for the church roof. Sarah Jane (joint Chair) is trying her best to keep things together, but she’s heard that the beanstalk may contain asbestos and someone wants to ruin the panto before it’s even began (booooo – hisssssss!) During the performance, it all starts unravelling and a body is discovered but who is the victim and why are they there? Lawyers Femi and Charlotte try to get to grips with what has happened and why as they navigate their way through all the festive round robins, emails and police transcripts. I read the first book – The Appeal and absolutely loved it so when I hear that a Christmas book was also coming, I was delighted. It certainly didn’t disappoint and was great fun and the pages seemed to turn themselves. I love books which are written as emails or diary extracts as it gives a real

  Christmas At The Chateau by Annabel French   Lawyer Naomi Winters is at a turning point in her life – her husband Ollie filed for divorce twelve months ago, she hates her job and now she’s due to spend the festive season on her own. When her best friend Mia suggests that Naomi spends Christmas at the Chateau in the Swiss Alps, she decides that now is the time for a change, and agrees. When she arrives in Switzerland, she’s surprised to bump into Mia’s big brother Gabriel who she hasn’t seen for years. I loved this book and raced through the story, it had gorgeous descriptions of the Swiss countryside during the festive season and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy!  

  Hannah and Finn formed their friendship when they met in their first year at Boston College. Both of them stayed at the college dorms during the Christmas break, as neither had a family to go home to. From that moment on The Christmas Orphans Club was formed and the tradition continued even when they moved cities and two other friends Priya and Theo became members! This is a lovely book about Christmas and told from a completely different perspective. This story is told Hannah and Finn who both find the festive season difficult, which was a breath of fresh air. A fantastic book which lovers and haters of Christmas will enjoy!

  Lucy and Sam are a couple who are selling their recently renovated house. When the estate agent rings to book a viewing, Lucy is asked to show the prospective buyer around as the estate agent is running late, but despite her crippling anxiety, she agrees to do it.   When the would-be purchaser arrives, something in Lucy’s gut feels wrong and when she asks him to leave, he simply refuses. This is where the real story begins…   This is a psychological thriller which will fill you with anxiety (sometimes in a good way, and in other places not so!) I must admit I absolutely loved the first half of the book, but when the story was being explained to us, and it was revealing what had happened I felt it was flawed and there were too many holes for me personally, but I am sure that other people will absolutely love this book as it is gripping and will have you on the edge of your seat (especially if your house is up for sale!)

  Wow! Wow! Wow! I want everyone to read this book that so we can talk about all the twists and turns as I am so worried about inadvertently giving away a spoiler!! Instead I’m going to try and tell you about the story line, as best as I can without giving too much away!   James and Eva met, fell in love and got married ten years ago and they planned their lives to include children until three years ago when everything changed one Christmas and since then, things just haven’t been right between them. Reluctantly attending a friend’s Christmas party at a manor house in Cornwall Eva’s mind is elsewhere as she is desperately trying to launch her new shop back in London, all the while her marriage with James is teetering on the edge. In a series of events, Eva is forced to look at Christmas day from the perspectives of the people closest to her. Phew! I hope I haven’t given too much away!! Although this book is centred around Christmas Day, I think it can be read all year round –