Bank Holiday Weekend Giveaway: Win a bundle of Bookish Goodies

As it's a bank holiday weekend and the start of my week off work I've decided to celebrate with a giveaway for this bundle of goodies. Sadly my reading and blogging mojo is still very much absent but I'm hoping that a relaxing week may recharge my batteries and I'll finally be able to get back into the swing of things but thankfully Emma is holding the fort with her fabulous reviews.

Bank Holiday Giveaway: Win a bundle of Bookish Goodies

I can't believe August is almost over and in one way I'm glad that time is going by so fast but in another way I want time to slow down. Life for me is still a little up in the air which is seriously affecting my concentration levels meaning that I'm still reading very little so no reviews likely to be coming anytime soon. Fortunately Emma is holding the fort with her fantastic reviews and I'm hoping to resume some author features on the blog in the upcoming months to counter the lack of reviews.

As I've got a bonus day off today due to the bank holiday weekend I've decided to celebrate by hosting another giveaway for this bundle of goodies.

Author Interview: Rebecca Raisin

It feels like forever since Rebecca Raisin was last featured on the blog so it's my pleasure to welcome her to the blog today to talk about her latest book Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop which was published last month. 

Hi Rebecca and welcome back to the blog. It's been a while since you last visited us so can you give readers a quick intro to yourself and recap of your writing journey. 
Thanks for having me back! I’m a romance writer from Australia who writes for HQ Stories. About eight years ago I entered a competition with Carina (now HQ Stories) and won a two-book publishing contract. I’ve been with them ever since! I write heart-warming rom coms, usually set in exotic locations. My books always have a strong friendship element and my heroines are on the quirky side! 

If you had to give an elevator pitch for your latest book Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop, what would it be?
Festive Flora’s life implodes so she jumps out of her comfort zone and into a Van Life and and sets off to Lapland, where she meets a Scrooge-like hero who is in need of a Christmas intervention! 

’Tis the season for mulled wine, mince pies, and magic under the mistletoe…

Flora loves Christmas more than anything else in the world, so she’s gutted when her Scrooge-alike boss fires her from Deck the Halls Christmas emporium. But now she finally has a chance to follow her dreams – and what better place to start than the home of Christmas?

Before she can say ‘sleigh bells’, Flora’s on her way to Lapland in a campervan-cum-Christmas-shop. She can’t wait to spend her days drinking hot chocolate and taking reindeer-drawn carriage rides, but something Flora didn’t expect was meeting Connor, a Norse god of a man who makes her heart flutter and snowflakes swirl in her stomach. There’s just one problem: Connor hates Christmas.

Can Flora convince Connor of the joys of Christmas – and will she find a festive romance along the way?

I love the idea of a road trip in a camper van to Lapland, where did the inspiration come from?
I’m fascinated by the Van Life phenomenon that’s gained in popularity over the last few years. The whole idea being you live a minimalist life, work on your own terms, either out of your van with a pop-up shop (like Flora does) or as a digital nomad, or whatever takes your fancy. These Van Lifers are leaving the 9-5 behind, the eye watering mortgages, and living simply while exploring the globe in their vans. It appealed to my sense of adventure and love of travel. If I could fit my family and pooch in a little van, I would! 

Food & Drink Month Review: Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm by Rebecca Raisin

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Maple sugar kisses

Lucy would do anything for her mom…but she never expected to end up promising to leave her. After her mom got sick, Lucy dropped everything to take care of her, working all hours in a greasy diner just to make ends meet and spending every spare moments she had by her mom’s hospital bedside.

Now, Lucy is faced with a whole year of living by her own rules, starting by taking the first bus out of town to anywhere…

Except she didn’t expect to find her next big adventure just around the corner! Especially when on her first day in town she bumps into grumpy, but oh-so-delicious Clay amidst the maple trees. Surrounded by the magic of Ashford, Lucy has the chance to change her life forever and finally discover a life she wants to live!

Amazon links: eBook or Paperback

Food & Drink Month: Q&A with Rebecca Raisin

Today it's my pleasure to welcome Rebecca Raisin back to the blog as part of this Q&A for the Food & Drink feature month.  I had originally planned to review her book Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm last Summer but then illness and life took over and I never managed to read it but hopefully either Emma or myself will finally read and review it before the end of this feature month.  

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your writing journey? 
I’m a romance writer from Perth, Australia. I started writing very short stories which helped me to be economical with words! I loved trying all sorts of genres to see if I could, and then eventually fell in love with writing romance. It has been great turning a hobby into a career! 

Where did the inspiration for Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm come from?
A reader friend of mine was googling the town of Ashford where the Gingerbread Series books are set and he was telling me the street names…One was something like Pumpkin farm road or similar, and it gave me the idea to set a story at a farm, but with something as luscious and sweet as maple syrup! I really liked the idea of having layers of secrets in the story, from the farm itself and the people who end up there. I think it’s my favourite story for that reason! 

Whilst researching the Maple Syrup industry, did you trial recipes on your family? 
I did! We lived on French toast for a week because it’s just so delicious! With lots of whipped vanilla bean cream, and roasted pistachios! We also used it a lot in savoury dishes so it balanced the heat. I thought it was very cute making meals with maple! It’s such a special ingredient once you learn how precious it is, the ways the maple trees provide and for how short the tapping season goes for. I now have so much respect for maples and mother nature! 

If you had to describe Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm in one sentence, what would it be?
Oh good question! Erm… ‘Love, and life isn’t always perfect so pack your bag and go on an adventure…’

Guest Post: My Whistlestop Research Tour of Paris by Rebecca Raisin

Today it's my stop on Rebecca Raisin's The Little Bookshop on the Seine with a guest piece from Rebecca about her trip half-way across the world from her home in Australia to research locations fo her new book series. 
  

Earlier this year my idea for a three book series – The Little Paris Collection – was pitched and accepted by my editor. It was no coincidence I was also travelling to Paris a few months later! Let’s just say I use the term ‘research’ when it suits me, and who doesn’t want to visit Paris? Somehow, I convinced a bunch of my family, and our European adventure began! My first stop was the UK to meet the lovely bloggers and readers who’d supported me since day one and who I desperately wanted to kidnap, and take to Paris! Alas, the thirty or so girls had to return to their lives, so I sadly went without them, and caught the train to Paris!

It was such a thrill, knowing we were only a few hours away from stepping onto French soil, and breathing in Parisian air. At the time, I hadn’t told anyone about the new book series, but went to Paris with my author hat firmly on. I took photos of all sorts of things, petals on the cobblestones at a little flower shop, the craggy face and toothless smile of an accordion player. I wanted to soak every tiny thing, so it would be in my mind, and my heart when I eventually got home.

It was only fair I stopped at every patisserie we passed, and dashed in for some sustenance – you guessed it – research again! Then there was the boulangeries with the smell of fresh bread baking, and flaky croissants sitting pretty in the window beckoning to me, and what’s a girl to do? The fromageries were exquisite, and I developed an addiction to all the different cheeses!  In an outdoor foodie markets we snaffled up wedges of cheeses, heaven when combined with slices of terrine, and cold meats and took our loot to the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and picnicked with the best view in the world. At the time, I was considering my character Sarah, and what she’d make of it all. Sarah, a shy bookworm who had never left her small town, would the crowds intimidate her? Would she delight in being just one person in a sea of people? Would she handle the Metro okay?

Cover Reveal: The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin

Today it's my pleasure to be taking part in the cover reveal blitz for Rebecca Raisin's latest book The Little Bookshop on the Seine, the first in her new series The Little Paris Collection. Here it is in all its gorgeousness...

What do you think?  Isn't it a beauty?  I have to confess that this is my favourite cover of Rebecca's books so far so the cover designer has a lot to live up to for the remaining books in the series ;)

Le Vie En Rose

Bookshop owner Sarah Smith has been offered the opportunity to exchange bookshops with her new Parisian friend for 6 months! And saying yes is a no-brainer – after all, what kind of a romantic would turn down a trip to Paris…for Christmas?

Even if it does mean leaving the irresistible Ridge Warner behind, Sarah’s sure she’s in for the holiday of a lifetime – complete with all the books she can read!

Christmas in July: Rebecca Raisin - Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe

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?

Amazon links: Kindle 

Author Interview: Rebecca Raisin

Earlier this year I had the privilege of meeting Rebecca Raisin when she and her family came to the UK as part of their European tour.  Bec is always so supportive of fellow authors, bloggers and readers so it's my pleasure to invite her to the blog as part of the blog tour for her latest book Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm to find out a little bit more about it.

In Secrets at the Maple Syrup farm we are taken back to Ashford, Connecticut, can you tell us a little bit about it? 
Lucy makes her sick mom a promise, to take one year for herself and go on an adventure. She gets on the very first bus out of town and winds up in Ashford. She’s desperate for work, and finds a job at the Maple Syrup Farm, and is determined no matter how gruff Clay the owner is to stick it out! She needs the money to further her travels, and to send some home to her mom. She didn’t think she’d unearth a range of secrets about the small town, ones that threaten to change her life forever! 

I'm assuming you didn't know much about Maple Syrup farming before you started writing so how did you go about researching?  
Haha no, I didn’t! I bought a book about Maple Syrup tapping and the traditions behind it. It was fascinating to read how it was made. The trees only produce for six weeks a year, so it’s sort of a magical process, and something so sweet nature provides. 

Describe Lucy and Clay in three words.
Lucy – artistic, loving, lost
Clay – gruff, sexy, deep

Have you got a favourite recipe featuring Maple Syrup?
I researched so many for the Sugaring-Off Festival in the book, but the simplest and best for me is French toast with HEAPS of maple syrup and cream! 

Christmas Memories: My Only Pantomime Experience by Rebecca Raisin

When I contacted authors about taking part in my Fictional Characters in Panto feature I didn't even consider the reality that pantomimes are mainly a British tradition and are not as well-known in other countries.  So I'd especially like to thank Australian author Rebecca Raisin who offered to share with us her one and only experience of seeing a pantomime instead.

I’m not sure that pantomimes are as big here as they are in the UK, or it could be that I just live in a bubble! 

Though, when my boys were two we took them to a local pantomime, and the only one I’ve ever been to! The actors were friends of ours in the community, and we’d watched them rehearse on weekends, and were excited to see them on the opening night. 

The performed Scrooge, and I was completely blown away by how good they were! I was a little worried the boys would get bored, being almost babies still, but they sat there for two hours mesmerised! We sat close to the stage and they could see every minute detail from the costumes, to the make-up. They were entranced! 

Blogiversary Giveaway #18: Win Christmas eBooks from Rebecca Raisin & Samantha Tonge

Ready for another giveaway?  The second of today's fabulous Carina UK Christmas eBook packages is for a copy of Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe, the final book in Rebecca Raisin's Gingerbread Cafe series, and Samantha Tonge's latest eBook Mistletoe Mansion.

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. 

Books Read: Rebecca Raisin - The Bookshop on the Corner

Who said that only real heroes could be found in fiction?

Sarah Smith had an addiction – she was addicted to romance novels. The meet-cute, the passion, the drama and the gorgeous men! Now this wouldn’t have been such an issue if she hadn’t been the owner of the only bookshop in Ashford, Connecticut.

Ever since her close friend Lil, from The Gingerbread Café, had become engaged she had been yearning for a little love to turn up in her life. Except Sarah knew a good man was hard to find – especially in a tiny town like Ashford. That was until New York journalist, Ridge Warner stepped into her bookshop…

Love could be just around the corner for Sarah, but will she be able to truly believe that happy-ever-after can happen in real-life too!

Amazon links: Kindle 

Author Interview: Rebecca Raisin

Today is the start of another publisher feature week, this time for Harlequin's digital imprint Carina UK.

Kicking off the week I'm delighted to welcome Australian author Rebecca Raisin who has been a fabulous supporter to myself and fellow bloggers.

What does a typical writing day look like for you?
I drop my squidlets at school. Return home and survey the mess. And again wonder how two little people can wreak such havoc. Duly ignore said mess and begin writing. The mornings are best for me, I write for about four hours, and then stop because my ‘other’ life takes over. I spend lots of time at night on social media catching up with my book-loving friends. And then rinse and repeat. 

Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book The Bookshop on the Corner?
Sarah Smith owns The Bookshop on the Corner in the tiny town of Ashford. She adores romance books and secretly hopes one day to find her own happy ever after. She’s a little quirky in that she believes her books come to life when she’s not in the shop, like they are magical, and have soul. But really, she just thinks books are the answer to everything; she finds them a comfort, like they’re old friends. Her ‘real’ friends want her to step out of her comfort zone and try and find a romance that’s not only on the black and white pages, but Sarah isn’t so sure. She’s an introvert, and she is holding out for the perfect book boyfriend, if he is purely fictional, well then, she’s stuck with that. That is until a reporter who looks like a cover model from a Harlequin book steps into her bookshop...

Books Read: Rebecca Raisin - Chocolate Dreams at the Gingerbread Cafe

Chocolate…the most irresistible temptation?

The Gingerbread Café is all a buzz! This Easter, Lily and the rest of the town of Ashford, Connecticut are planning a truly decadent Chocolate Festival. Cooking up a storm, CeeCee and Lily are not just baking a batch of their sinfully delicious chocolate-dipped gingerbread men, but an excess of chocolate truffles, squidgy, cinnamony hot cross buns and melt in your mouth chocolate eggs. The Gingerbread Café staff have definitely enjoyed the tasting process!

Add in Damon’s cute-as-a-button seven year old daughter, Charlie, up for a visit and Lily’s perfect Easter may just be around the corner. Until her ex-husband Joel turns up demanding twenty thousand dollars… Suddenly the future of the Gingerbread Café is not so clear…and Lily finds herself eating far more of The Gingerbread Café’s treats than her skinny jeans allow…

Can Lily concoct a brilliant plan to save her beloved café, convince Damon she has no feelings for Joel and still throw a Chocolate Festival the town will be talking about for years? There’s only one way to find out...

Welcome back to the warmth, cupcakes and hot chocolate of The Gingerbread Café – your home away from home.

Amazon link: Kindle

Books Read: Rebecca Raisin - The Heart of Bali

What happens when your break from real life shows you exactly how empty it actually is?  

Focused and driven, Aurora has built her PR and event management company into a thriving success. But, it’s come at a cost. Her relationships suffer, and she has virtually no social life. When her boyfriend suggests a holiday to mend the bridges, it seems like a good idea to rekindle their attraction and make some new life choices. Instead, she finds herself in the tropical paradise of Bali, heartbroken and alone. 

When Marcel, the hotelier, offers to show her the real Bali, she doesn’t hesitate — he might be just the pick-me-up she needs. Pinning Marcel as a Casanova, Aurora decides to have fun and not overthink things. Exploring her more sensual side brings a newfound confidence, and she finds herself falling for the French hotelier and the Bali he shows her...until an unexpected visitor arrives at the hotel.

As her holiday draws to a close, will Aurora choose to leave with good memories, or follow her heart?

Amazon link: Kindle

Christmas Reading Challenge & Giveaway: Rebecca Raisin - Christmas at the Gingerbread Cafe

The icing on her Christmas cake!

Christmas is the season the Gingerbread Café was made for…but owner Lily couldn’t be feeling less merry if she tried. She’s spent another year dreaming of being whisked away on a sleigh-ride for two, but she’s facing festive season alone – again. And, just to give her another reason to feel anything other than candy-cane perky, a new shop across the road has opened… Not only is it selling baked goods, but the owner, with his seriously charming smile, has every girl in town swooning.

But Lily isn’t about to let her business crumble — the Gingerbread Café is the heart of the community, and she’s going to fight for it! This could be the Christmas that maybe, just maybe, all her dreams – even the someone-to-decorate-the-Christmas-tree-with ones – really do come true!

Amazon link: Kindle